Nonlinear optical (NLO) materials provide the basis for an array of active optical devices under development throughout several high technology industries. Applications would include communications, data storage, and computing. Active optical devices can be used to alter light in order to encode or direct information in a number of ways. While the applications of optical technology such as fiber optics, optical storage and optical displays have identified a need for such devices, material properties have so far limited their introduction. Intensive, world-wide, development of specifically designed polymers appears to offer the most attractive solution.