This research will gain detailed understanding of the mechanism of the photorefractive effect in polymer photorefractive materials, particularly the underlying physics of photoconduction, charge trapping, electro-optic response, and dielectric relaxation in the polymers. This knowledge will permit the synthesis and fabrication of improved photorefractive polymers suitable for use in a wide range of applications, particularly those which will take advantage of the relatively low cost and the ease and flexibility of processing of polymers as compared to crystalline materials. The insight gained will also be beneficial in modelling the performance of polymer photorefractive devices.
