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.

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.

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.

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.

Nonlinear optical chromophore compositions which display lyotropic nematic liquid crystal phases in polar organic solvents and provide a mechanical anisotropic effect allowing for the formation of a non-centrosymmetric chromophore-polymer matrix without the application of an electric field.

The present invention is directed, in general, to compositions containing electro-optic materials and high boiling point solvents allowing for improved, more efficient poling, as well as methods of poling such materials. Various embodiments of the present invention thus provide materials with excellent electro-optic properties which can be efficiently poled for use in electro-optic devices. In the various embodiments of the present invention, materials can be applied as thin films and efficiently poled at low temperatures with normally applied voltage, while simultaneously exhibiting excellent nonlinear optical macroscopic properties and thermal stability.

There is provided an organic nonlinear optical material including a polymer binder and a compound represented by the following Formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein, in Formula (I), R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 each independently represent a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; R.sub.3 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group; and L represents a divalent linking group connecting a nitrogen atom and an oxopyrroline ring having a dicyanomethylidene group in a π-conjugated system containing an azo group (—N═N—).

Disclosed is a non-linear optical crystal containing pyridinium represented by the following Formula (1), 4-substituted phenylsulfonate represented by the following Formula (2a), and 2,4,6-substituted phenylsulfonate represented by the following Formula (2b).

##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.

Nonlinear optical chromophores having one or more diamondoid groups covalently attached to the chromophore, methods of making nonlinear optical chromophores, their use in thin films and electro-optical devices containing such nonlinear optical chromophores and thin films comprising the same.