Hoffmann-la Roche Inc.

Rolic Ag

Rolf-Peter Herr

Martin Schadt

Klaus Schmitt

Andreas Schuster

Richard Buchecker

Xin Hua Chen

Stephen Kelly

Jurg Funfschilling

Fran&ccedil;ois Herzog

Francedillaois Herzog

Jurg Fufschilling

The invention is concerned with novel cross-linkable, photoactive polymer materials with 3-aryl-acrylic acid esters and amides as well as their use as orienting layers for liquid crystals and for the production of non-structured or structured optical elements and multi-layer systems.

Cross-linkable photoactive polymer materials

An optical frequency conversion element has a wave-guiding layer which consists of a .chi..sup.(2) -active ferroelectric liquid crystal. The monomeric or polymeric liquid crystal material has a periodic structure which permits the so-called quasi phase matching of a guided laser beam. The period length of the structure is equal to twice the coherence length l.sub.c =.pi./.DELTA..beta. of the material, whereby .DELTA..beta.=.beta..sub.o (2.omega.)-2.beta..sub.o (.omega.), with .omega.=angular frequency of the fundamental wave, 0=zero-order mode and .beta.=propagation constant of the mode.

Optical element and compounds used in its manufacture

Cross-linkable, photoactive polymer materials

The invention is concerned with linear and cyclic polymers or oligomers having a photoreactive ethene group. The polymers are of the formula ##STR1## wherein M.sub.a, M.sub.b, M.sub.c are monomer units for homo- or copolymers;

Linear and cyclic polymers or oligomers having a photoreactive ethene

Polymeric coatings having optically non-linear or optically anisotropic properties in selected areas and of any arbitrary shape including a pattern. These zones are sharply defined from surfaces having centro-symmetrical or isotropic configurations or from surfaces with different optically non-linear or anisotropic properties. The polymeric coating has optically non-linear and/or mesogenic side chains, selected surface areas of which are cross-linked by the action of light, the zones which have optically non-linear or anisotropic properties being subjected to the influence or orienting fields or forces during the cross-linking process. The distances between optically different zones are limited to typically about 1 .mu.m.

Optically non-linear polymeric coatings

Quasi-phased matched optical waveguide frequency conversion element

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Freiburg, Germany

Rolf-Peter Herr