Polymeric optical modulator and waveguiding media

DETAILED DESCRIPTION For purposes of exemplification and not by way of limitation, the present invention is described hereinafter in connection with several embodiments turning first to the synthesis of polymers useful as layer materials of the inventive structures.
While polable materials of any type, such as guest-host materials may be employed, polymers of the general structure: ##STR1## where P is a backbone polymer unit, S a spacer group of 1-20 carbon atoms, M a sidechain and preferably an NLO active chromophore and N a copolymeric unit which enhances isotropic characteristics of the media.
To achieve the desired refractive index combination in a multilayered waveguiding structure, polymers such as those described herein may be blended for example, with methyl methacrylate or each other to obtain the necessary optical relationships or copolymers of different ratios having different optical characteristics may be prepared as needed.
EXAMPLE I This Example illustrates the preparation of an isotropic 50/50 copolymer of 4-[N-(2-methacroyloxyethyl)-N-methylamino]-4'-nitrostilbene and methyl methacrylate as shown in structure (II) below.
##STR2## A.
4-[N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-N-methylamino]benzaldehyde A 2 liter three (3) necked flask fitted with a mechanical stirrer, thermometer and condenser is charged with 134 g of 2-(methylamino)ethanol, 74.
4 g of 4-fluorobenzaldehyde, 1 ml of Aliquat 336, 750 ml of dimethylsulfoxide and 82.
8 g of anhydrous potassium carbonate.
The mixture is heated at 95.
degree.
C.
for three (3) days.
The product mixture is cooled and poured into 3 liters of ice water.
The resultant solid precipitate is filtered, washed with water, and vacuum dried.
The crude product is recrystallized from toluene, m.
p.
72.
degree.
C.
B.
4-[N-(2-Hydroxyethyl)-N-methylamino]-4'-nitrostilbene A one liter three (3) necked flask fitted with a dropping funnel, mechanical stirrer and condenser is charged with 34.
35 g of 4-nitrophenylacetic acid, and piperidine (16.
2 g) is added dropwise over a period of 30 minutes