Abstract
The objective of this work is to improve the optical properties of low refractive index polymers used for waveguide by introduction of inorganic nanoparticles. Copolymers of fluorinated monomers and glycidyl methacrylate are used. Introduction of SiO2 nanoparticles into polymer matrix is performed by direct mixing; copolymerization with SiO2 nanoparticles modified by monomer, and in situ sol-gel formation of SiO2 during photochemical cross-linking and annealing catalyzed by photoacid generator. It is demonstrated that nanoparticles are able to decrease thermo-optic coefficient. It is also possible to fabricate waveguiding layers by direct introduction of nanoparticles without compromising of optical propagation losses.
Highlights
Low refractive index polymers are used as passive materials in planar waveguides [1,2,3,4,5,6,7] and optical fibers [8]
Introduction of SiO2 nanoparticles into polymer matrix is performed by direct mixing; copolymerization with SiO2 nanoparticles modified by monomer, and in situ sol-gel formation of SiO2 during photochemical cross-linking and annealing catalyzed by photoacid generator
Introduction of SiO2 NPs into polymer matrix was performed in three different ways: 1. direct mixing of NP dispersion with polymer solution
Summary
Low refractive index polymers are used as passive materials in planar waveguides [1,2,3,4,5,6,7] and optical fibers [8]. Low TOC is a requirement for passive optical waveguides. It was demonstrated that introduction of SiO2 NPs prepared by in situ sol-gel reaction was able to decrease refractive index of polyimides used for the fabrication of optical waveguides [12]. Inorganic materials (core of a NP) have to decrease optical losses, but their organic shell, required for the compatibility with the polymer matrix, might increase optical losses depending on its chemical composition. The goal of this work was to introduce SiO2 NPs into polymer waveguiding materials and to investigate their influence on optical properties (refractive index, TOC, and propagation losses).
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