Multilayer Polymer Films for Photonic Applications

• DOI: 10.1557/proc-1196-c03-03
• Publication Date: 2010-08-13T10:30:03Z
• Authors: Juefei Zhou; Kenneth Singer; Hyunmin Song; Yeheng Wu; Joseph Lott; James Andrews; Anne Hiltner; Eric Baer; Christoph Weder
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology

AbstractPolymers are receiving considerable attention as components in novel optical systems because of the tailored functionality, easy manufacturing, and relatively low cost. The processing of layered polymeric systems by coextrusion is a method to produce films comprising hundreds to thousands of alternating layers with thickness spanning the nanoscale to microscale in a single, one-step roll-to-roll process. Several layered polymer optical systems have been fabricated by coextrusion, including tunable refractive index elastomers, photonic crystals, and mechanically tunable photonic crystals. Layered polymeric optical systems made by coextrusion can also incorporate active components such as laser dyes for all-polymer laser systems.