PHOTOSENSITIVE POLYMER MATERIALS USEFUL AS PHOTONIC CRYSTALS

摘要

The invention relates to photosensitive polymer materials comprising one or more elongate voids and to photonic crystals comprising photosensitive polymer materials with an ordered array of elongate voids. The ordered array of elongate voids may include one or more optical waveguide forming defects such that the photonic crystal may comprise an optical signal conducting fibre or optical integrated circuit. The invention also provides methods of formation of elongate voids within a photosensitive polymer material which comprise placing the material and/or a source of focused coherent light under spatial control and subjecting the material to focused coherent light at wavelength and power suitable to initiate void formation while moving the material at desired rate so as to track coherent light focus through the material in axial direction of intended elongate void formation. Related methods can be used to form arrays of elongate voids within photonic crystals. The invention also relates to apparatus for forming elongate voids within photosensitive polymer materials.