Abstract
Heavy metal substituted phthalocyanines, especially lead phthalocyanines, show a strong nonlinear absorption in the visible that is useful in optical limiting applications.1 Previously, soluble phthalocyanines were synthesized and solutions of the active material were used in limiters. In some applications processable polymeric thin films are desirable. Such thin films can be prepared as guest/host systems. However, at the concentrations necessary for nonlinear optical applications, guest/host materials can yield samples with microscopic phase separations. Such materials have losses due to light scattering and degraded nonlinear optical properties. Another approach is to use functionalized polymers. Here we describe a random copolymer of Pb tetrakis (4-(3-aminophenoxy))-phthalocyanine and butanediol with urethane linkages. In this material a high concentration of Pb phthalocyanine is incorporated covalently into the backbone of the polymer.
© 1994 Optical Society of America
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