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.

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.

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.

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—).

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.

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

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.