An electrooptic or optical parametric device comprises a noncrystalline second order optically nonlinear element and means for providing an optical input to and an optical output from said element wherein said element comprises an organic molecule having second order optical susceptibility incorporated in a directionally oriented manner in an optically clear glassy polymer. When said device is employed in an electrooptic mode it includes means for applying an electric field and/or optical input to said element for altering an optical property thereof.