Polymer Optical Waveguide Sensor Based on Fe-Amino-Triazole Complex Molecular Switches

Abstract

We report on a polymer-waveguide-based temperature sensing system relying on switchable molecular complexes. The polymer waveguide cladding is fabricated using a maskless lithographic optical system and replicated onto polymer material (i.e., PMMA) using a hot embossing device. An iron-amino-triazole molecular complex material (i.e., [Fe(Htrz)2.85(NH2-trz)0.15](ClO4)2) is used to sense changes in ambient temperature. For this purpose, the core of the waveguide is filled with a mixture of core material (NOA68), and the molecular complex using doctor blading and UV curing is applied for solidification. The absorption spectrum of the molecular complex in the UV/VIS light range features two prominent absorption bands in the low-spin state. As temperature approaches room temperature, a spin-crossover transition occurs, and the molecular complex changes its color (i.e. spectral properties) from violet-pink to white. The measurement of the optical power transmitted through the waveguide as a function of temperature exhibits a memory effect with a hysteresis width of approx. 12 °C and sensitivity of 0.08 mW/°C. This enables optical rather than electronic temperature detection in environments where electromagnetic interference might influence the measurements.