The epoxy resin: N,N-diglycidyl-4-glycidyloxyaniline (DGOA) is cured with the new diamine-chromophore: 2,4-diamino-4'-methylazobenzene (DMAB). The spectral characterization of infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), H-1 NMR spectroscopy and of elemental analysis (EA), confirm the chromophore structure. The curing kinetics of aminophenol epoxy resin/2,4-diamino-4'-methylazobenzene system is studied in isothermal experiments by means of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The structural changes occurring during the cure reaction are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Thermal stability characterized by the temperature of 5 and 10% weight loss and residue at 1000 degreesC of the cured product is studied by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Amorphous character of the cured material is determined using X-ray spectroscopy. The preliminary investigations of optical grating recording are carried out. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.