Abstract: Crosslinked polymer layers having nonlinear optical properties are produced by a process in which (A) diallyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids or mixtures thereof with monoallyl monoalkyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids are copolymerized with compounds having nonlinear optical activities and containing groups capable of polymerization or (B) prepolymers of diallyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids or prepolymers of mixtures of diallyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and monoallyl monoalkyl esters of aromatic dicarboxylic acids are mixed with compounds having nonlinear optical activity and with or without polymerizable groups (=guest/host system), applied to a substrate and, after orientation in an electric field above 50.degree. C., crosslinked in a reaction which is initiated thermally or by free radicals.

Abstract: Structured polymer layers having nonlinear optical properties are produced by a process wherein either organic compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated groups are subjected to free radical copolymerization (A) with stilbene, azo or azomethine compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated groups and donor and acceptor groups, or organic compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated groups are subjected to free radical polymerization and are mixed (B) with stilbene, azo or azomethine compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated groups and donor and acceptor groups, the copolymers (A) or mixtures (B) thus obtained are exposed imagewise to high-energy radiation, the unexposed parts are removed and the structured polymer layers thus obtained are polarized in an electric field for orientation of the chromophoric structural units in the region of the glass transition temperature of the polymer and crosslinked in an applied electric field.