Preparation and optical properties of a poly(N-vinylcarbazole) material

We report on the photorefractive properties of a stable polymeric material based on the host polymer, poly(N-vinylcarbazole). Two-beam coupling and four-wave mixing experiments were used to measure the performance of devices constructed by sandwiching the material, composed of host, plasticizer, photo-sensitizer, and non-linear optical chromophore, between transparent electrodes. A steady-state diffraction efficiency of 60% and a two-beam coupling gain of 22 cm^–1 in excess of the absorption of 4 cm^–1 were observed at the laser's operating wavelength of 670 nm. The devices are easily prepared and have lifetimes in excess of one year with no indication of degradation when stored at ambient temperatures.