Layered polymeric optical systems using continuous coextrusion

Abstract

Polymers are receiving considerable attention as components in novel optical systems because of the tailored functionality, ease of 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 in a single, one-step roll-to-roll process. Several layered polymer optical systems have been fabricated by coextrusion, including gradient refractive index lenses, 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 photoreactive additives for multilayered patterning and laser dyes for all-polymer laser systems. Coextrusion is a process which allows for the flexible design of polymeric optical systems using layers with thickness spanning the nanoscale to the microscale. © 2009 SPIE.