Abstract: An electro-optic waveguide deflector appropriate for use in an optical pickup head uses any film exhibiting high second order susceptibility such as nonlinear optic organic Langmuir-Blodgett films or nonlinear optic organic poled polymer films, or a liquid-crystal overlay cell. The deflector comprises a base support, a planar electrode layer disposed on the base support, a first buffer layer atop the first electrode layer, and an optical waveguide layer overlying the first buffer layer and planar electrode. When nonlinear optic films are used to form the waveguide layer, a second buffer layer is disposed atop the waveguide layer, and a pair of spaced electrodes is disposed atop the second buffer layer. When a nematic-type liquid-crystal overlay cell is used, it is disposed atop a passive dielectric waveguide, and a pair of spaced electrodes is disposed on the under surface of the liquid-crystal cell cover plate.

Abstract: A photorefractive device is disclosed capable of optically coupling intersecting beams of electromagnetic radiation comprised of first and second electrodes for establishing a potential gradient between first and second spaced locations and, interposed between the electrodes, a photorefractive medium comprised of a homogeneous charge neutral organic photoconductor containing organic noncentrosymmetric molecular dipoles capable of imparting to the photorefractive medium a second order polarization susceptibility of greater than 10.sup.-9 esu, the molecular dipoles each containing an electron donor moiety linked through a conjugated .pi. bonding system to an electron acceptor moiety.

Abstract: An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprised of a reflective metal layer, means acting as a support for directing the electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer, an electrooptic medium that exhibits a refractive index which is a function of an applied electrical potential, and a counter electrode. At least one of the reflective metal layer and the counter electrode taking the form of laterally spaced segments. The reflective metal layer has a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, and a dielectric layer having a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation and comprised of at least one metal oxide, metal fluoride, or low molecular weight aromatic compound is coated on the support. The electrooptic medium is a polymeric layer coated on the reflective metal layer exhibiting a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.

Abstract: A photorefractive system is disclosed containing interposed between electrodes an electrophotographic photoreceptor layer unit and a layer having a second order polarization susceptibility of greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units comprised of organic polar aligned noncentrosymmetric molecular dipoles having an electron donor moiety linked through a conjugated .pi. bonding system to an electron acceptor moiety. The device can be employed to transfer information from one source of electromagnetic radiation to another.

Abstract: An optical article capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprising a reflective metal layer having a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, means acting as a support for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer, a dielectric layer interposed between the support and the reflective metal layer having a refractive index less than that of the support and a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation directed toward the reflective metal layer, an electrooptic medium that exhibits a refractive index which is a function of an applied electrical potential, and a counter electrode. The optical article is characterized in that it is capable of modulating the reflection of polarized monochromatic electromagnetic radiation from differing wavelength sources to produce a multicolor image.

Abstract: A quasi-phase matching optical waveguide for producing a second harmonic of an internally propagated polarized laser beam having a wavelength in the range of from 700 to 1300 nm is disclosed. The waveguide is comprised of at least one array of laterally spaced transparent electrodes in direct contact with a transmission medium containing similarly polar aligned organic molecular dipoles in overlying areas. The transparent electrodes and overlying areas of the transmission medium are each of the same width and spacing.

Abstract: An optical article is disclosed containing, for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation, a medium exhibiting a high second order polarization susceptibility containing a vinyl polymer having backbone pendant carbocyclic aromatic groups susbstituted with polar aligned noncentrosymmetric organic molecular dipoles. The molecular dipoles are linked to greater than 60 percent of the backbone pendant carbocyclic aromatic rings through an ester or amide linkage, so that said medium exhibits a second order polarization susceptibility of greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units and a glass transition temperature in excess of 150.degree. C.

Abstract: A photorefractive device is disclosed comprised of a first and second electrodes for establishing a potential gradient between first and second spaced locations and, interposed between the first and second electrodes, intermediate means capable of producing in a readout beam of electromagnetic radiation an image pattern corresponding to that present in a spatially intersecting writing beam of electromagnetic radiation when a potential gradient is applied to the intermediate means by said first and second electrodes. The intermediate means consists of a photorefractive layer capable of internally storing the image pattern of the writing beam created by its interference with an intersecting reference beam of electromagnetic radiation, the photorefractive layer being comprised of a homogeneous organic photoconductor containing organic noncentrosymmetric molecular dipoles capable of imparting to the photorefractive layer a second order polarization susceptibility of greater than 10.sup.-9 esu.

Abstract: An optical article is disclosed capable of modulating the reflection of electromagnetic radiation containing a reflective metal layer having a thickness of less than 0.5 .mu.m, an optical coupler for directing polarized electromagnetic radiation to the reflective metal layer and serving as a support for the device, a first dielectric layer interposed between the reflective metal layer and the support having a thickness in the range of from 0.1 to 10 times the wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation, a second dielectric layer adjacent the reflective metal layer exhibiting a refractive index which differs from that of the first dielectric layer by less than 20 percent and can adjusted by an applied electrical potential gradient, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of the second dielectric layer remote from the reflective metal layer.

Abstract: An optical article for the propagation of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed comprised of an electrically conductive support on which a poled polymeric film exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 80.degree. C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units is formed. A layer for enhancing the transmission of electromagnetic radiation is interposed between the electrically conductive support and the poled polymeric film. The transmission enhancement layer is an amorphous layer of at least 0.5 .mu.m in thickness having a refractive index less than that of the polymeric film and a resistance less than 10 times that of the polymeric film. The transmission enhancement layer being comprised of a mixture of (a) at least one metal oxide or fluoride and (b) a low molecular weight aromatic compound.

Abstract: A nonlinear optical article for the controlled propagation of electromagnetic radiation is disclosed. The article includes a reflective metal layer having a thickness in the range of from 100 to 1000 .ANG. and work function in the range of from 2.5 to 4.5 eV, an optical coupler, a dielectric medium comprised of a poled polymeric layer exhibiting a glass transition temperature of at least 50.degree. C. and a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units, and means for variably applying an electrical potential to a surface of the dielectric medium remote from the reflective metal layer. A protective metal fluoride or oxide layer having a thickness of less than 0.1 .mu.m is interposed between the reflective metal layer and the poled polymeric layer.

Abstract: An optical article is disclosed containing contiguously overlying an organic layer for the nonlinear propagation of electromagnetic radiation an amorphous transmission enhancement layer of at least 0.5 .mu.m in thickness transmissive to the nonlinearly propagated electromagnetic radiation, exhibiting a refractive index less than that of the organic layer, and comprised of a low molecular weight aromatic compound.

Abstract: An optical article is disclosed containing, for the transmission of electromagnetic radiation, a medium exhibiting a second order polarization susceptibility greater than 10.sup.-9 electrostatic units comprised of polar aligned noncentrosymmetric molecular dipoles. The molecular dipoles have an electron donor moiety linked through a conjugated .pi. bonding system to an electron acceptor sulfonyl moiety.