Synthesis of organically modified glasses by sol-gel techniques

Abstract

Sol-gel derived inorganic-organic composites can be prepared in homogeneities sufficient for optical applications. Therefore, it is necessary to control structure formation, especially with respect to the distribution or aggregation of inorganic network forming units and organics. Inorganic components can be kept on a nano level by growth control using stabilazors interacting with the surface of colloidal particles formed by sol-gel or precipitation reactions. Thus, colloidal particles < 10 nm can be prepared and incorporated into inorganic-organic matrices to form transparent films on glass surfaces and having interesting optical properties. Semiconductor quantum dots as CdS, CdS/PbS or metals have been used. ZrO2 was used for refractive index adaption and organic ligands to photopolymerize the films. Photopolymerization was also used for patterning by laser writing, maskaligner techniques or embossing. Other organics like fluorine containing groupings have been used to create low surface free energy layers to reduce dust adsorption on the surface. X3 values have been determined to be in the range of 10-9 esu and optical losses in planar waveguides are less than 1 dB/cm.