The invention relates to a process for making patterned (structured) polymer layers having non-linear optical properties wherein either organic compounds containing ethylenically unsaturated groups are subjected to free radical copolymerisation (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 polymerisation 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 unirradiated parts are removed, and the patterned polymer layers thus obtained are polarised in an electric field to orient the chromophoric structural units in the region of the glass transition temperature of the polymer and crosslinked in an applied electric field. Such patterned polymer layers are suitable for the production of polymeric waveguides in communications technology.
Process for making patterned polymer layers with non-linear optical properties.