Method to create gradient index in a polymer

摘要

Novel photo-writable and thermally switchable polymeric materials exhibit a refractive index change of Δn≧1.0 when exposed to UV light or heat. For example, lithography can be used to convert a non-conjugated precursor polymer to a conjugated polymer having a higher index-of-refraction. Further, two-photon lithography can be used to pattern high-spatial frequency structures.

主权项

1. A method to create a gradient index in a polymer, comprising:
providing a low-index non-conjugated precursor polymer having a photocleavable leaving group; and photoexposing the precursor polymer to eliminate the photocleavable leaving group, thereby providing a conjugated polymer having a higher index-of-refraction than the precursor polymer, wherein the non-conjugated precursor polymer is exposed to different doses of photons in different regions to create a graded index material.