Picosecond z-scan measurements of fast nonlinearity in novel polymer films

Summary form only given. New optical technologies require the development of new nonlinear optical materials. Conjugated organometallic polymers constitute some of the most promising materials, having high and fast electronic optical nonlinear susceptibilities. The optical properties of the materials can be explained by the existence of facile electronic conjugation and delocalization along the molecular chains, the high mobility of the electrons being responsible for the very large dipole moments required for high nonlinear coefficients. Large nonlinear susceptibilities and the ease of synthesis of these polymers even in films and fibers are of great advantage, and open up new possibilities for developing optical switches, integrated optics components, etc.