The objective of this work is to improve the optical properties of low refractive index polymers used for waveguide by introduction of inorganic nanoparticles. Copolymers of fluorinated monomers and glycidyl methacrylate are used. Introduction of SiO2 nanoparticles into polymer matrix is performed by direct mixing; copolymerization with SiO2 nanoparticles modified by monomer, and in situ sol-gel formation of SiO2 during photochemical cross-linking and annealing catalyzed by photoacid generator. It is demonstrated that nanoparticles are able to decrease thermo-optic coefficient. It is also possible to fabricate waveguiding layers by direct introduction of nanoparticles without compromising of optical propagation losses.

中文翻译：

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无机纳米粒子对低折射率波导聚合物光学性能的影响

这项工作的目的是通过引入无机纳米粒子来改善用于波导的低折射率聚合物的光学性能。使用氟化单体和甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯的共聚物。将SiO2纳米颗粒引入聚合物基体是通过直接混合进行的；与单体改性的 SiO2 纳米粒子共聚，以及在光酸发生剂催化的光化学交联和退火过程中 SiO2 的原位溶胶-凝胶形成。结果表明，纳米颗粒能够降低热光系数。还可以通过直接引入纳米粒子来制造波导层，而不会影响光学传播损耗。