Organic-inorganic nanocomposites for micro optical applications

Abstract

Control of phase separation during the sol-gel process is an essential issue in case of organic-inorganic hybrid materials for optical and microoptical applications. In order to minimize optical losses by scattering effects, phase dimensions are controlled to be in the nm range. The use of nanoparticles allows to adjust the index of refraction only by changing particle contents and buffer and gladding coatings can be built up in combination with waveguiding films. Examples are given for the control of the conversion behavior of C=C double bonds of methacrylate functionalized alkoxides in case of photopolymerization, which is an other essential issue to taylor material properties. Patterning techniques are presented to get micro optical devices like strip-waveguides, diffraction gratings and Fresnel micro lenses.