Published online by Cambridge University Press: 26 February 2011
Nonlinear optics (NLO) is increasingly important for a variety of military and commercial needs ranging from new types of laser weapons to fiber optic communications networks, to optical computing applications. Rapid advances in optical phase conjugation, optical switching, and logic have demonstrated the enormous potential for practical applications with concurrent fast-paced materials development. A new class of organic materials called rigid rod (also known as ordered polymers) have the excellent intrinsic properties and tailorability to meet the requirements of a wide range of nonlinear optical devices. This manuscript provides a multidisciplinary effort to target key applications and material and processing requirements for ordered polymers. This manuscript provides the framework for the applications development required for the rapidly growing field of NLO devices from ordered polymeric materials.