Abstract
The main objective of this work was to combine the positive characteristics of transparent photopolymers and light-sensitive chalcogenide glasses, with aim to improve the amplitude–phase modulation characteristics of in situ optically recorded photonic elements on the surface, and in the bulk of thick composite layer on a given substrate. The positive results were obtained due to the developed technology routes of nanocomposite (NC) fabrication by intermixing selected, optically tunable, VIS–NIR transparent and high refractive index As-S (Se) nanoparticles (NPs) produced by chemical dissolution, and acrylate monomers with initiators. Subsequent photopolymerization of such nanocomposite occurs during optical recording photonic elements and is supplemented by mass-transport processes, which enhance relief parameters. Structure, optical parameters of the new light-sensitive media and conditions of one step recording of optical elements in it were investigated.
Highlights
Composite materials are usually developed to combine positive or unique characteristics of selected components in a new material
In our previous papers [7, 8, 10, 11] we described acrylate nanocomposites containing S iO2, ZnO, Au nanoparticles for optical recording of diffraction gratings in thick layers, where the inhomogeneous redistribution of nanoparticles due to the non-uniform optical field stimulated polymerization, accompanied with nanoparticles diffusion, increases the light-modulation characteristics
Since the concentration of Chalcogenide glasses (ChG) NPs is small, 2.6 vol% or 7.5 wt%, in the polymer NC film, which originally in pure state is transparent in all visible spectral region, the absorption edge of NC is shifted towards UV due to the contribution of two added components
Summary
Composite materials are usually developed to combine positive or unique characteristics of selected components in a new material. Nowadays nanocomposites play an essential role in the development of smart, poly-functional materials [1, 2]. Combining polymer and quartz glass nanoparticles results new, flexible glassomer-type material [3]. Polymer nanocomposites containing organic and inorganic components were developed and applied for optical, holographic recording of different photonic elements like gratings, two- or even three dimensional structures [4,5,6,7,8]. The limiting factors for optical application of these materials may be connected with high scattering levels, which essentially decrease at comparatively low concentrations and sub-wavelength, nanometer-scale dimensions of NPs [9].
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