US5207952A
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US
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Side chain liquid crystalline polymers as nonlinear optical materials
Assignee: University of Southern Mississippi
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Filing: 1991-04-02
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Granted: 1993-05-04
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Expires: 2011-04-02
Abstract
Abstract Side chain liquid crystalline polymers which exhibit nonlinear optical responses, particularly second and third harmonic generation, are presented together with methods for making them. These polymers derive their nonlinear optical behavior from selective pendant groups that are attached via spacers to the backbone. Several embodiments having chiral structures are subject to efficient dipolar and molecular alignment by electric field poling. The methods disclosed for making these polymers are polycondensation, graft polymerization, and copolycondensation.
Inventors
- 👤 Anselm C. Griffin, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 18:49
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/35; G02F1/355; G02F1/361; G02F1/3615; G02F1/3617; C; C09; C09K; C09K19/00; C09K19/04; C09K19/06; C09K19/08; C09K19/10; C09K19/22; C09K19/38; C09K19/3833; C09K19/3842; C09K19/3852; C09K19/52; C09K19/58; C09K19/586
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 47
Claim 1
Independent Claim
53 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; said dipolar pendant groups comprising a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that comprises NO 2 or CN and is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
53 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; said dipolar pendant groups comprising a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that comprises NO 2 or CN and is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The composition of claim 1, in which the dipolar pendant groups have been oriented by an electric field.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer has been electrically poled.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The composition of claim 1, in which said dipolar pendant groups have been electrically poled to provide said noncentrosymmetry to said polymer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer further comprises chiral groups.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer further comprises sufficient chiral groups to impart said noncentrosymmetry to said polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymeric backbone includes chiral groups.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymeric backbone includes chiral 1-methyl-1,3-propylene or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene groups.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 1, in which the polymeric backbone comprises a polyester.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1, further comprising flexible spacers attaching said pendant groups to said polymeric backbone.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
12 words
The composition of claim 10 in which the spacers comprise polymethylene groups.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer exhibits nonlinear optical response upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer exhibits nonlinear optical second harmonic generation upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The composition of claim 1, wherein said polymer comprises sufficient chiral groups to exhibit second harmonic generation upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation without electric field poling.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
The composition of claim 1, in which the pi-electron donor comprises oxygen or nitrogen.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
75 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer which includes: a polymeric backbone; a plurality of first pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone, wherein said first pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that comprises NO 2 or CN and is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor; and a plurality of second pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone, wherein said second pendant groups comprise chiral groups.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
75 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer which includes: a polymeric backbone; a plurality of first pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone, wherein said first pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that comprises NO 2 or CN and is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor; and a plurality of second pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone, wherein said second pendant groups comprise chiral groups.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
13 words
The composition of claim 16, wherein said chiral groups includes an alkoxy group.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
70 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline polymer that has a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; wherein said dipolar pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said dipolar pendant groups have been electrically poled to provide noncentrosymmetry to said polymer.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
70 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline polymer that has a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; wherein said dipolar pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said dipolar pendant groups have been electrically poled to provide noncentrosymmetry to said polymer.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
62 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; wherein said dipolar pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said polymer additionally comprises chiral groups.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
62 words
A composition of matter, comprising a liquid crystalline, noncentrosymmetric polymer having a polymeric backbone and a plurality of dipolar pendant groups attached at intervals along the backbone; wherein said dipolar pendant groups comprise a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor that is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said polymer additionally comprises chiral groups.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 18 wherein said composition provides nonlinear optical response upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 19 wherein said composition provides nonlinear optical response upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
67 words
A liquid crystalline polymer which comprises: a polymeric backbone; a plurality of dipolar pendant groups spaced along and attached to the backbone wherein said pendant groups include a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor which is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and wherein said pi-electron acceptor comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said polymer has sufficient dipolar orientation or chirality to render the polymer noncentrosymmetric.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
67 words
A liquid crystalline polymer which comprises: a polymeric backbone; a plurality of dipolar pendant groups spaced along and attached to the backbone wherein said pendant groups include a pi-electron donor and a pi-electron acceptor which is conjugatively connected to the pi-electron donor and wherein said pi-electron acceptor comprises NO 2 or CN; and wherein said polymer has sufficient dipolar orientation or chirality to render the polymer noncentrosymmetric.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The polymer of claim 22 wherein said pi-electron acceptor comprises a nitrophenyl or nitropyridyl group.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The composition of claim 22, wherein said polymer exhibits nonlinear optical response upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The composition of claim 22, wherein said polymer exhibits nonlinear optical second harmonic generation upon interaction with electromagnetic radiation.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The polymer of claim 22, additionally comprising spacers for attaching the backbone to the pendant groups.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
45 words
The polymer of claim 22, additionally comprising spacers for attaching the backbone to the pendant groups, wherein said spacers are sufficiently flexible to increase liquid crystalline behavior in the polymer, and wherein said polymer has been electrically poled to provide said noncentrosymmetry to said polymer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
52 words
The polymer of claim 22, additionally comprising spacers for attaching the backbone to the pendant groups, wherein said spacers are sufficiently flexible to increase liquid crystalline behavior in the polymer, and wherein said polymer contains sufficient chiral groups to exhibit nonlinear optical second harmonic generation without the need for electric field poling.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polymer of claim 22, additionally comprising sufficient chiral groups in said polymer to provide said chirality.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
17 words
The polymer of claim 22 wherein said pendant groups have been oriented by an external electric field.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
12 words
The polymer of claim 22 in which the backbone comprises a polyester.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
45 words
The polymer of claim 22 in which the backbone comprises a polyester having the following repeatedly group: ##STR14## wherein Z is 1,4-butylene or 1-methyl-1,3-propylene or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene; n is an integer; and R' comprises a flexible space capable of attaching said pendant groups to said backbone.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
26 words
The polymer of claim 22 in which the pendant groups comprise nitrostilbene. ##STR15## wherein Y 1 is CH or N and W is CH or N.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
12 words
The polymer of claim 22 in which the pendant groups comprise nitrostilbene.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
74 words
A noncentrosymmetric polymer comprising the following structure: ##STR16## wherein X 1 is a pi-electron donor; Z 1 is NO 2 or CN; Y is a linking group capable of transmitting pi-electron density from X 1 to Z 1 ; W is CH or N; X 2 or H; Z 2 is NO 2 or H; m and n are integers of at least 2; and R is the repeating unit of the polymer backbone.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
74 words
A noncentrosymmetric polymer comprising the following structure: ##STR16## wherein X 1 is a pi-electron donor; Z 1 is NO 2 or CN; Y is a linking group capable of transmitting pi-electron density from X 1 to Z 1 ; W is CH or N; X 2 or H; Z 2 is NO 2 or H; m and n are integers of at least 2; and R is the repeating unit of the polymer backbone.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
19 words
The polymer of claim 35 in which R has the following structure: ##STR17## wherein Z is 1-methyl-1,3-propylene or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
13 words
The polymer of claim 35 in which X 1 is oxygen or nitrogen.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
10 words
The polymer of claim 35 in which Y is: ##STR18##
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
23 words
A polymer comprising: ##STR19## wherein m and n are integers; Z is 1,4-butylene or 1-methyl-1,3-propylene or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene; and Y is CH or N.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
23 words
A polymer comprising: ##STR19## wherein m and n are integers; Z is 1,4-butylene or 1-methyl-1,3-propylene or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene; and Y is CH or N.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
20 words
The polymer of claim 35 in which R has the following structure: ##STR20## wherein Z is 1,4-butylene, 1-methyl-1,3-propylene, or 3-methyl-1,6-hexylene.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-03 | 1996-11-02 | 1997-05-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-03 | 2000-11-02 | 2001-05-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-03 | 2004-11-02 | 2005-05-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |