Refractive index prediction system of optical polymers

Abstract

In order to use polymers as various optical materials, such as in flat panel displays, optical discs, optical lenses, and optical fibers, ideal optical characteristics needs to be achieved, such as high transparency, and control of the refractive index. We clarify the quantitative relation between the essential optical properties of polymers, and the chemical structure of the repeat unit, in order to predict optical properties only from the chemical structure of the repeat unit. A system which predicts the refractive index of polymers quantitatively from its chemical structure is reported. This prediction system is useful for the molecular design of optical polymers. © 2009, The Society of Polymer Science, Japan.