Quadratic electro-optic effect in a nano-optical material based on the nonconjugated conductive polymer, poly(ethylenepyrrolediyl) derivative

We report the results of optical absorption, quadratic electro-optic and electroabsorption measurements in a novel nano-optical material based on the nonconjugated conductive polymer, poly(ethylenepyrrolediyl) derivative. Two peaks at about 310 and 420 nm have been observed in the optical absorption spectrum of the polymer at a low doping level of iodine. The Kerr constant as determined at 633 nm, which is close to resonance, is about 1.2×10^-9 m/V ² which is about 495 times that of nitrobenzene. This exceptionally large Kerr coefficient has been attributed to the special structure and quantum confinement of this electronic system within a subnanometer domain.