Photostability Studies on Zwitterionic Chromophores for Nonlinear Optics Available to Purchase

Photostability measurements have been made on thin films containing amorphous polycarbonate and an organic chromophore, 2‐{3‐Cyano‐4‐[3‐(1‐decyl‐1H‐pyridin‐4‐ylidene)‐propenyl]‐5, 5‐dimethyl‐5H‐furan‐2‐ylidene}‐malononitrile. We find that the photodegradation quantum efficiencies for films containing 15% chromophore loading by weight are similar to those with lower chromophore loadings. The photodegradation quantum efficiency dramatically decreases by more than 3 orders of magnitude when the films are encapsulated to minimise exposure to oxygen.