Nonlinear optical and optical power limiting studies on a new thiophene-based conjugated polymer in solution and solid PMMA matrix

An experimental investigation of the third-order nonlinear optical properties of new poly{2-{5-[3,4-ditetradecyloxy-5-(1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)thiophen-2-yl]- 1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-yl)pyridine) (P) in tetrahydrofuran (THF) solution and in solid poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) matrix, by Z-scan technique is reported. The Z-scan traces reveal that the composite films exhibit large negative nonlinear refractive index of the order 10(-10)esu. The excited-state absorption cross-section was found to be larger than the ground-state absorption indicating that the operating nonlinear process is reverse saturable absorption (RSA). The new polymer P exhibits good optical power limiting properties in the nanosecond regime in solution and as well in solid PMMA matrix. (c) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.