Photoinduced reversible refractive-index changes in tailored siloxane-based polymers

Abstract

The design and synthesis of novel polymers for use in optical-fibre space switching devices is described. These materials consist of a low refractive index matrix with a small fraction of photoactive units together with adjuster units to tailor the refractive index to that of silica. These materials show reversible and controlled variation in the refractive index which is induced through selective irradiation at either 366 or 525 nm.