Nonlinear optical chromophores are provided that have a short chain bridging group between donor and acceptor, which chromophores exhibit lowered λ.sub.max values and narrow absorption bands. Electro-optic films prepared from nonlinear optical chromophores provided have enhanced transparency to wavelengths outside of the narrow absorption bands, as well as low optic loss, high thermal stability, and high photostability.

Crosslinked films having electro-optic activity, compositions and compounds for making the films, methods for making the films, and devices that include the films are disclosed.

The present disclosure is directed to an optically active medium comprising dye aggregates and optionally a nucleotide oligomer or other nucleotide-based architecture, which may be used in in optical devices, in particular nonreciprocal devices (i.e., devices in which energy flows in one direction only), that can respond to differences in the polarization of light. An analysis is presented of the energy levels and the strengths of the optical transitions (changes in energy states) for a three-chromophore (dye) aggregate in which the chromophores are coupled with a J-like (i.e., end-to-end) stacking. Specific devices and methods of use are also disclosed herein.

Electro-optic (EO) devices having an EO polymer core comprising a first host polymer and a first nonlinear optical chromophore (NLOC); and a cladding comprising a second host polymer and a second NLOC, and methods of preparing the same; wherein the first NLOC has a first bridge covalently bonded to an electron-accepting group and an electron-donating group; wherein the second NLOC has a second bridge covalently bonded to an electron-accepting group and an electron-donating group; and wherein the second bridge is less conjugated than the first bridge such that the cladding has an index of refraction that is less than that of the EO polymer core, and wherein the second NLOC is present in the second host polymer in a concentration such that the cladding has a conductivity equal to or greater than at least 10% of the conductivity of the EO polymer core at a poling temperature.

Chromophores with large hyperpolarizabilities, films with electro-optic activity comprising the chromophores, and electro-optic devices comprising the chromophores are disclosed.

Nonlinear optical chromophores having thiophene-containing bridging groups between the electron-donating and electron-accepting ends of the chromophore are disclosed, including bridging groups which contain cyclic moieties in combination with conjugated double bonds between the electron-donating and electron-accepting ends of the chromophore.

A nonlinear optical material is represented by the following formula (1). At least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.1 to R.sup.5, at least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.6 to R.sup.10, and at least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.11 to R.sup.15 are represented by the following formula (2).

##STR00001##

A nonlinear optical material is represented by the following formula (1). At least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.1 to R.sup.5, at least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.6 to R.sup.10, and at least one selected from the group consisting of R.sup.11 to R.sup.15 are represented by the following formula (2).

##STR00001##

Hydrogels that degrade under appropriate conditions of pH and temperature by virtue of crosslinking compounds that cleave through an elimination reaction are described. The hydrogels may be used for delivery of various agents, such as pharmaceuticals.

One aspect of the present disclosure is a method for selective surface functionalization using a single-photon source. The method for selective functionalization using a single-photon source includes: (a) adding a single-photon source to a solution containing a photosensitizer and a monomer; and (b) emitting a single photon from the single-photon source. One aspect of the present disclosure is a selectively functionalized single-photon source prepared by the method.