Polymers containing covalently bonded nonlinear optical ( NLO ) chromophores are expected to possess special properties such as greater stability , better mechanical processing , and easier film formation than their non - polymeric equivalent . For the present work , polymethylmethacrylate ( PMMA ) was selected as the basic polymer unit on which to incorporate different NLO chromophores . The NLO components were variations of DIVA { [ 2 - methoxyphenyl methylidene]-propanedinitrile } which we prepared from vanillin derivatives and malononitrile . These were esterified with methacrylic acid and polymerized either directly or with methyl methacrylate to form homopolymers or copolymers respectively . Characterization of the polymers and NLO property studies are underway .