Dielectric and Absorbate Effects on the Optical Properties of Phosphazenes

ABSTRACTThe optical response of polyphosphazenes can be directly related to the π (out-of-plane) and π′ (in-plane) bonding interactions intrinsic to the electronic structure of these Materials. Altering this structure either by hydrogen bonding or absórbate effects, affects both the linear and nonlinear optical susceptibilities. In this paper, we have performed electronic structure calculations on the cyclic Molecules, P3N3 (NHCH3)6, P3N3(SCH3)6, P3N3 (OCH3)6 and P4N4 (NHCH3)8 as model systems for the polymer. Charge distribution arguments are discussed to explain the influence of a polarizing electric field on the π bonding systems, and are used to suggest methods to enhance their nonlinearities.