Chromophore-polymer composite materials for electro-optical applications are rendered active at the χ(2) level
of susceptibility by inducing chromophore alignment through the interaction of the chromophore dipole moment with an
external electric field, a process referred to as "poling". To provide insight into the molecular details of the poling
process, single molecule microscopy studies of DCM (4-(dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-(4-dimethylaminostyryl)-4Hpyran)
and RhB (Rhodamine B) in poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) above Tg of the polymer host are performed. Electric
fields of 50 V/μm are employed consistent with typical experimental conditions. The effect of environment is studied
through comparative studies or RhB reorientation in oxidative and inert atmospheres. Single-molecule rotational
dynamics are monitored through the time-evolution of the fluorescence anisotropy. Anisotropy correlation functions
demonstrate non-exponential decay consistent with previous studies of molecular rotation dynamics in polymer melts.
The rotational dynamics of DCM are found to be weakly perturbed in the presence of a 50 V/μm electric field consistent
with the modest alignment potential created by the electric field relative to the amount of available thermal energy. The
relevance of these findings to current models of the poling process is discussed.
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