Optical properties of low-refractive index polymers

Abstract

The study of optical properties of polymers is an integral part of smart materials research. It has immense potential in diverse fields spanning from structural health monitoring and underwater surveillance to medical imaging and automobile industries. Polymers are excellent candidates for these purposes due to their adaptable physical properties, one of which is their optical response to external stimuli such as temperature, pressure, magnetic fields, humidity, surrounding gases etc. Thus, being able to predict these responses is invaluable in the formulation of devices that are relevant to these applications. This paper presents a study of the simulation of the optical properties of several polymers when exposed to electromagnetic radiation, ranging from Ultra Violet to Near-Infra Red. A simulation of the influence of varying thicknesses of polymers (10, 50, 100 µm) on substrates [silicon (10, 50, 100 µm) and metal (Au) (0.025, 0.053, 0.117 µm)], on the optical properties, is presented in this study. Consequently, the results of these simulations serve as a guideline for selecting the best material configuration for the desired application. The optical bandgap of some of the polymer candidates is examined in light of Tauc’s method of analysis of the absorption coefficient variation with energy.