Chromophore-containing compounds for opto-electronic applications

The use of a multi-functional, chromophore containing, polymerizable compound for producing an optical element having non-linear optical properties (an NLO element) wherein the multi-functional chromophore is a compound capable of being polymerized into a cross-linked network and of being poled under the influence of an electric field whilst being polymerized into the cross-linked network, the compound having the generalized formula (D) (C) (A) (F) D, C, A and F representing covalently linked moieties where C represents at least one conjugated system of (pi)-bonds, A and D represent at least one respectively (pi)-electron acceptor and (pi)-electron donor groups linked at opposite ends of the conjugated system, and are preferably conjugated with the conjugated system of (pi)-bonds (C) and where more than one moiety A, C or D is present they may be the same or different, F represents at least two polymerizable functional groups, which may be the same or different, attached to the (pi)-conjugated system C or the groups A and D via substituent groups R1, and R2, where R1 and R2 are selected from alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl heteroalkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkenyl, and alkynyl including groups which have been substituted or contain heteroatom replacement, the groups F being linked to the compound so that after the compound has been polymerized to give a cross-linked network the interpolymerized functional groups prevent significant realignment of the chromophore groups when the optical element is subject to temperature changes during any further fabrication and in use.