Optical properties of thin polymer films
- 格式:pdf
- 大小:200.42 KB
- 文档页数:8
共轭聚合物有机半导体英文英文回答:Conjugated polymers are a class of organic semiconductors that have alternating single and double bonds along their backbone. This unique structure gives conjugated polymers interesting electrical and optical properties, making them promising candidates for use in various electronic applications.Conjugated polymers are typically synthesized via chemical polymerization techniques, such as oxidative coupling or Heck reaction. The resulting polymers are typically soluble in organic solvents and can be processed into thin films using techniques such as spin coating or drop casting.The electrical properties of conjugated polymers are highly dependent on the degree of conjugation, which is the length of the alternating single and double bond sequence.Longer conjugation lengths lead to higher charge carrier mobility and lower bandgap, making the polymer more conductive and semiconducting, respectively.The optical properties of conjugated polymers are also affected by the degree of conjugation. Longer conjugation lengths lead to absorption and emission of light at longer wavelengths, resulting in a red shift in the polymer's absorption and emission spectra.Conjugated polymers have been used in a variety of electronic applications, including organic solar cells, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), and transistors. In organic solar cells, conjugated polymers act as the active layer, absorbing light and generating charge carriers that are then collected by the electrodes. In OLEDs, conjugated polymers are used as the emitting layer, emitting light when an electric current is applied. In transistors, conjugated polymers are used as the semiconductor channel, controlling the flow of current between the source and drain electrodes.Conjugated polymers are a promising class of materials for use in electronic applications due to their unique electrical and optical properties. Further research is needed to improve the performance and stability of conjugated polymers, but they have the potential to revolutionize the field of electronics.中文回答:共轭聚合物是有机半导体的一种,其主链上交替排列着单键和双键。
Optical thin filmA class of optical materials, consisting of a thin layered medium, propagating through the interface.Applications of optical thin films began in 1930s. Modern, optical thin film has been widely used in the field of optical and optoelectronic technology, manufacturing all kinds of optical instruments.The characteristics of optical thin film is smooth surface and the interface between layers of a geometric segmentation; the refractive index of the film at the interface can jump, but in the film is continuous; can be a transparent medium, can also be absorbing medium; can be a method to uniform, can also is not uniform method to the. The film is much more complicated than that of the ideal film. This is because: preparation and optical properties of the thin films and the physical properties from bulk materials, the surface and interface is rough, resulting in diffuse scattering of light beam; between layers of mutual penetration of the formation of interface diffusion; due to reasons of film growth, structure, stress, the formation of the films were anisotropic films have complex effect of time.According to the application of optical thin film is divided into reflective film, antireflection film, optical filter film, protective film, polarizing film, beam splitter and phase film. Commonly used is the first 4. In order to increase the reflectivity of optical reflective film, reflective and refractive index, used to manufacture cavity device. The optical deposition film is deposited on the surface of the optical element, which is used to reduce the surface reflection and increase the transmission of the optical system. The optical filter film is used for spectral or other optical segmentation, and the structure is complex. An optical protective film deposited on a metal or other soft, easily eroded material or film surface, to increase its strength or stability, and to improve its optical properties. The most common is the metal mirror protective film.。
二元光学面反射镜加工英文回答:Diffractive Binary Optics.Diffractive binary optics (DBO) is a type of optical element that uses the principles of diffraction to create a desired optical effect. DBOs are typically made by patterning a thin film of material with a series of binary (i.e., two-level) structures. The pattern of the structures determines the optical properties of the DBO, such as its focal length, magnification, and aberration correction.DBOs have a number of advantages over traditional refractive optics. First, they are much thinner and lighter than refractive optics, making them ideal for applications where space and weight are critical. Second, DBOs can be fabricated using a variety of low-cost manufacturing techniques, making them a cost-effective option for many applications. Third, DBOs can be designed to correct for awide range of aberrations, making them ideal for use in high-precision optical systems.DBOs are used in a wide variety of applications, including:Laser beam shaping.Holography.Microscopy.Telecommunications.Optoelectronics.Fabrication of DBOs.DBOs are typically fabricated using a two-step process. In the first step, a thin film of material is deposited onto a substrate. The material is typically a polymer or a metal. In the second step, the film is patterned with aseries of binary structures. The pattern of the structures is typically created using a photolithography process.The fabrication of DBOs is a complex and precise process. The following are some of the key factors that must be controlled in order to produce high-quality DBOs:The thickness of the film.The pattern of the structures.The etching depth.The sidewall angle.Applications of DBOs.DBOs have a wide range of applications in optics. Some of the most common applications include:Laser beam shaping: DBOs can be used to shape the beam of a laser into a desired shape. This is useful for avariety of applications, such as laser cutting, laser welding, and laser marking.Holography: DBOs can be used to create holograms. Holograms are three-dimensional images that can be viewed using a laser.Microscopy: DBOs can be used to improve the resolution of microscopes. This is useful for a variety of applications, such as medical imaging and materials science.Telecommunications: DBOs can be used to multiplex and demultiplex optical signals. This is useful for increasing the capacity of optical communication systems.Optoelectronics: DBOs can be used to create a varietyof optoelectronic devices, such as optical switches and modulators.Advantages of DBOs.DBOs have a number of advantages over traditionalrefractive optics. These advantages include:Thin and lightweight.Cost-effective.Can be designed to correct for a wide range of aberrations.Disadvantages of DBOs.DBOs also have some disadvantages. These disadvantages include:Can be difficult to fabricate.Can be sensitive to environmental factors.中文回答:衍射二元光学。
The Properties and Applications ofUltrathin FilmsUltrathin films, also known as nanofilms or thin films, are coatings or layers of materials that are just a few nanometers to a few micrometers thick. These films have unique properties that make them useful in a wide range of applications, from electronics and optics to biomedical devices and energy storage.Properties of Ultrathin FilmsOne of the most important properties of ultrathin films is their high surface-to-volume ratio. Because of their small thickness, these films have a high surface area relative to their volume. This means that they can interact with their environment in unique ways, allowing them to be used in a wide range of applications.Another property of ultrathin films is their tunability. By adjusting the thickness and composition of the film, it is possible to control its properties, such as its electrical conductivity, optical properties, and mechanical strength. This allows these films to be used in a wide range of applications where their properties can be tailored to meet specific requirements.Applications of Ultrathin FilmsElectronics - One of the most important applications of ultrathin films is in the field of electronics. These films are used to create thin-film transistors, which are used in electronic devices such as flat-panel displays and touch screens. They are also used in memory devices such as flash drives and hard drives.Optics - Ultrathin films are also used in the field of optics, where they are used to create optical coatings that can be used to manipulate light. These coatings are used in a wide range of applications, including cameras, telescopes, and photovoltaic cells.Biomedical Devices - Ultrathin films are also used in the field of biomedical devices. They can be used to create coatings that are biocompatible and that can be used to improve the performance of medical devices such as implants and prosthetics. They can also be used to create biosensors that can detect diseases and other medical conditions.Energy Storage - Ultrathin films are also being used to create new types of energy storage devices such as batteries and supercapacitors. These devices are being developed for use in a wide range of applications including electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and consumer electronics.ConclusionUltrathin films are a rapidly growing area of research and are being used in a wide range of applications. These films have unique properties that allow them to be used in a wide range of applications, from electronics and optics to biomedical devices and energy storage. As research in this field continues, it is likely that new applications for ultrathin films will be discovered, making them even more important in the years to come.。
Fabrication and properties of thinfilmsIntroductionThin films have become an indispensable part of modern technology as they are being used in numerous applications ranging from optical coatings, protective coatings, electronic devices and photovoltaic cells to name a few. Thin films offer unique properties such as improved mechanical, optical, and electrical properties when compared to bulk counterparts. These unique properties make thin films an attractive material for researchers and industry alike.Fabrication TechniquesThin films can be fabricated using a wide range of techniques that include physical vapor deposition (PVD), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), electrochemical deposition (ECD) and sol-gel techniques.Physical vapor deposition (PVD) is a technique that involves the transfer of energy from energetic particles (atoms or molecules) to the surface of the material to produce a thin film. PVD can be carried out using a range of methods, such as sputtering, thermal evaporation, and electron beam deposition.Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) is a technique in which the growth of thin films occurs on a substrate through the chemical reaction of a gas phase precursor. The reaction products deposit on the substrate, forming the desired thin film.Electrochemical deposition (ECD) is a process in which a thin film is grown on a substrate by electrodeposition. The substrate is made the cathode in a bath of a solution that contains the ions of the material to be deposited.Sol-gel process is a chemical method to produce thin films that involves colloidal solutions (sol) that undergo gelation to produce a cross-linked network (gel) of sub-micrometer or nanometer-sized particles.Properties of Thin FilmsThin films have unique properties when compared to bulk materials due to the large surface area to volume ratio. Some of the unique properties of thin films are mentioned below.(a) Mechanical Properties - Thin films possess high strength and hardness when compared to bulk materials due to the reduced grain size and decreased dislocation density.(b) Optical Properties - Thin films possess high transparency or high reflectivity depending on the thickness and the material used for deposition.(c) Electrical Properties - Thin films possess high electrical conductivity, low dielectric constant and capacitive properties when deposited in specific geometries and structures.(d) Magnetic Properties - Thin films possess high susceptibility and susceptibility anisotropy due to the reduced domain size and increased atomic ordering in thin films.Applications of Thin FilmsThin films have become highly essential in various applications spanning across various sectors of technology such as electronic devices, optical coatings, protective coatings, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), photovoltaic cells (PV), and biomedical applications.(a) Electronic Devices - Thin films are used extensively in electronic devices such as sensors, electrodes, transistors, capacitors, and memory devices.(b) Optical coatings - Thin films play a vital role in optical coatings such as antireflection coatings, high reflectivity mirrors, and optical filters.(c) Protective coatings - Thin films are used as protective coatings due to their ability to provide high wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility.(d) Photovoltaic cells - Thin films are used in photovoltaic cells for their unique properties such as optical absorption, electrical conductivity, and interface engineering.(e) Biomedical Applications - Thin films are used in biomedical applications such as drug delivery, tissue engineering, and biosensors.ConclusionThin films have revolutionized the field of materials science due to their unique properties and diverse applications. The fabrication of thin films and their properties have been discussed in this article to highlight their importance in various fields of technology. As technology continues to advance, thin films will continue to play a significant role in numerous applications.。
J O U R N A L O F M A T E R I A L S S C I E N C E39(2004)2835–2839Optical properties of SiO2-TiO2sol-gel thinfilms P.CHRYSICOPOULOUHarokopio University,Department of Home Economics and Ecology,70El.Venizelou St., 17671Athens,GreeceE-mail:pchrys@hua.grD.DAVAZOGLOUNCSR”Demokritos,”Institute of Microelectronics,P.O.Box60228,15310Agia Paraskevi, Attiki,GreeceC.TRAPALIS,G.KORDASNCSR”Demokritos,”Institute of Material Science,P.O.Box60228,15310Agia Paraskevi, Attiki,GreeceThe optical properties of thin SiO2-TiO2sol-gel compositefilms were investigated using exact optical models and the Forouhi-Bloomer model,(Phys.Rev.B34,7018(1986)),which describes the optical dispersion of amorphous dielectrics.Films deposited on glass and silicon substrates,were characterized by optical transmission and reflection measurements.Theoretical spectra have been generated andfitted to the experimental ones via standard regression analysis techniques.The(five)adjustable Forouhi-Bloomer parameters describing the dispersion of the complex refractive index,as well as thefilm thickness were determined.The refractive index and absorption coefficient of thefilms were found to depend on the molar contents of the component oxides.C 2004Kluwer Academic Publishers1.IntroductionThe preparation of amorphous glasses through thesol-gel process in the past few decades has experiencedremarkable growth and has found an increasing num-ber of applications such as coatings,sensors,photocat-alysts,precursors for preparation of ceramic materials,etc.[1–8].Among them titania-silica composite oxidesare noted for their interesting physical and chemicalproperties which include a very low or negative thermalexpansion,a high refractive index,solid acidic proper-ties,photocatalysis and alkali passivation mechanisms[9–15].In the present work,we have studied the optical pa-rameters of sol-gel SiO2-TiO2compositefilms as afunction of the various molar component concentra-tions.The experimental transmittance and reflectancespectra of the system,film-substrate-film,werefitted totheoretical ones,calculated using the Forouhi-Bloomer(FB)physical model[16]to describe the optical disper-sion in the compositefilms.2.ExperimentalThin compositefilms SiO2-TiO2were produced viathe sol-gel method by hydrolysis of the correspondingmetal alkoxides in alcoholic solutions.The followingcompositions were prepared:x SiO2·(100−x)TiO2, with x=0,25,50and100mol%.For the preparationof the100mol%SiO2film the precursor was silicontetraethoxide(Si(OC2H5)4,Merck)and was dissolvedin absolut(99.8%)ethanol(C2H5OH,Merck),followed by the addition of HNO3(65vol%,Farmitalia-Carlo Erba)as the acid catalyst and of distilled water.Then the mixture was stirred at60◦C for two hours to initiate the hydrolysis and polycondensation.Correspondingly,the 100mol%TiO2film was produced through hydrolysis of titanium tetraethoxide(Ti(OC2H5)4,Alfa Products, Germany)in absolut ethanol,with the addition of nitric acid,sealing the mixture from atmospheric air and stir-ring it at room temperature for about two hours as well. The composite SiO2-TiO2films were made following the same procedure as for the SiO2films with the dif-ference that,at the end of the stirring,Ti(OC2H5)4was added and the mixture was sealed from atmospheric air and left to stir for another half hour at room temper-ature.In all solutions the molar ratio of water to the TEOS alkoxide was kept equal to four.The amount of HNO3added to the solutions was enough to ensure that the pH values ranged between0.5and2. Amorphous uniform gel coatings were formed on both sides of substrates immersed in the above so-lutions,by dipping-withdrawing in an ambient atmo-sphere,a few hours after the sol preparation.The thick-nesses of the highly uniform coatings,thus produced, are easily controlled through regulation of the with-drawal speed of the substrates from the solutions.For the cases of x=0,25and50the substrates were 1mm thick glass microscope slides and the withdrawal speed was set to50cm/min,and for the case of x= 100,where the sol-gelfilms would have a composi-tion similar to that of the glass microscope slide and0022–2461C 2004Kluwer Academic Publishers2835consequently similar optical properties,the substrate used,instead was a silicon wafer,withdrawn with a speed of40cm/min.All samples were heat treated af-ter their formation for30min,at400◦C in a Carbolite RHF1200oven,in air,at a rate of2◦C/min,leading to oxidefilm structures.The temperature of400◦C was chosen so that it was high enough to ensure complete burning of the organic components,yet being within the range allowed by the glass substrate.The heating time of30min was selected to ensure sufficient time for densification and burning of organics,as well as to minimize the diffusion of alkali ions present in the glass substrate,as confirmed by references[17–19]. Transmittance spectra of thefirst three cases(Samples 1,2and3),mentioned above,were recorded using a UV/VIS/NIR Lamda19spectrophotometer of Perkin Elmer.With the same spectrophotometer,specular re-flectance spectra were taken for Sample4,deposited on an opaque Si substrate.Doubly polished Si wafers were used as standards for the reflection.These wafers were covered with an oxide layer,approximately50nm thick, as determined by one wavelength(632.8nm)ellipsom-etry.The reflection spectra of these mirrors were syn-thesized using refractive index data found in the litera-ture for crystalline Si[20]and Malitson’s formula[21], to describe the refractive index dispersion of the top oxide.3.Theoretical procedureThe spectra obtained were analyzed using exact optical models[22,23]for the transmittance and reflectance of a stack offilms,combined with the physical model of Forouhi-Bloomer[16],for the optical constants of amorphous materials.The calculation principles of the optical models have been presented in earlier publica-tions[24–26].The optical models includefive phases: air-compositefilm-substrate-compositefilm-air and the transmittances and reflectances of the composite sys-tem are calculated using the“effective”reflection and transmission Fresnel coefficients described in detail in reference[24].These coefficients are functions of the real,n,and imaginary,k,part of the complex refractive index of thefilms and the substrate,and also of their respective thicknesses.The FB model, which has been extensively described in previous papers[24–26],assumes electronic transitions only be-tween two parabolic bands,the valence and conduc-tion bands,originating from superposition of molec-ular orbital states,the valence from bonding and the conduction band from antibonding states.These bands are separated by an energy gap E g while the en-ergy distance between bonding and antibonding states equals to B/2.The dispersion relations n(E)and k(E), which are Kramers-Kronig related,are then derived to be[16]:n(E)=n(∞)+B0E+C0E(1)k(E)=A(E−E g)2E2−BE+C(2)whereB0=AQ−B22+E g B−E2g+C,C0=AQE2g+CB2−2E g CandQ=12(4C−B2)1/2Except n(∞),which is the refractive index at high ener-gies,A is related to the position matrix element and thelifetime of the electronic transitions involved and C isrelated to B and the lifetime.This rather simple math-ematical model describes well the excitations near theabsorption threshold in disordered dielectrics[25–28]and the results are physically meaningful provided that[25]:(i)E g,as defined by the FB model,takes smallervalues than B/2,(ii)E g takes values close to those ob-tained using other physical models(e.g.,Tauc’s[29]model),and(iii)Q is positive.Under the above condi-tions,the FB model relates n and k to parameters per-taining to the dielectric’s electronic structure,unlikeother formulas(e.g.,Cauchy’s formula).It should beemphasized at this point that although the crystallinityof the samples of this investigation is unclear,the FBmodel for disordered dielectrics can be applied,even inthe case of their being polycrystalline.This is possiblebecause the model is being applied within the low en-ergy domain,where the existence of sharp structures inthe dielectric constants of the samples is not expected.Moreover,the model permits the determination of nand k from one and only measurement.We have useda modified version of the FB model which demandsthat the extinction coefficient,k,vanishes for energiesbelow the energy gap E g.This version has been pre-viously used to describe optical dispersion in siliconoxynitride[28],tin oxide[25,26],silicon nitride[27],amorphous[25]and polycrystalline Si thinfilms[30].4.Results and discussionIn Table I are presented the values of thefive FB modelparameters and the corresponding90%confidence in-tervals which are estimated byfitting the calculatedtransmittance and reflectance spectra to those experi-mentally recorded,minimizing the quantity(unbiasedestimator):f=1NNT exp(λ)−T calc(λ)2(3)by standard regression analysis techniques[31].N rep-resents the number of points used for the minimizationprocess(about800points),T exp(λ)the experimental,T calc(λ)the calculated values of the transmittance andσ(λ)the uncertainty of the measurement at each wave-length.The uncertaintyσ(λ)varied with each wave-length in an unknown way so,an uncertainty equal to0.05T exp has been attributed to each value.A corre-sponding estimator is defined for the reflectance spec-tra.The thicknesses d,of thefilms are also estimated2836T A B L E I Forouhi-Bloomer model parameters,film thicknesses d ,and unbiased estimators f for the four samples studied.The corresponding 90%confidence intervals are also shown Composition x =0x =25x =50x =100x mol%SiO 2y =100y =75y =50y =0y mol%TiO 2Sample 1Sample 2Sample 3Sample 4n (∞) 1.9811±0.0030 1.8012±0.0042 1.6501±0.0038 2.3759±0.0365A0.1686±0.01280.3015±0.02050.2113±0.01500.7083±0.0095B (eV)8.5837±0.00038.6740±0.02069.1227±0.02719.7520±0.4735C (eV 2)18.685±0.01319.275±0.080821.4690±0.125391.5020±2.8506E g (CV) 3.0020±0.0235 3.3769±0.0172 3.3372±0.021710.0060±0.2475d (nm)93.516±0.237100.430±0.434109.20±0.91104.09±0.13F0.37970.20050.44560.2395through the minimization process and are reported in the above table.It must be noted that the results from fitting to reflectance experimental values are less accu-rate than those obtained from fitting to transmittance values.This is related to the uncertainties pertaining to the calibration of the reference mirrors,as well as to the fitting procedure.Within this procedure data from the literature referring to the silicon wafer have been used,obtained for ultra pure silicon,cleaned at the mo-ment of the measurement.These conditions were not fulfilled in this investigation.It can be observed that for the first three samples the first of the previously mentioned,conditions (E g <B /2)is fulfilled.On the contrary,this is not the case for the fourth sample composed exclusively of SiO 2.This is because SiO 2starts to absorb at much higher energies than those in this study hence,the k is not involved in the calculation of the theoretical spectra,and consequently,the minimization program does not optimize E g and B simultaneously (see Equation 2).Another observation that can be made concerning Table I,is that E g and B do not vary appreciably with the molar content of the components.This is because E g ,within the FB model,is defined in such a way that the absorption threshold and the so-called Urbach’s tail [29]are both described by this parameter (we return to this point further on).In Fig.1are presented the experimental and the calcu-lated transmittance spectra for Sample 3and the good agreement between the two is apparent.In Fig.2areFigure 1UV-Vis transmittance spectra,experimental (solid line)and calculated (dashed line)for Sample 3,with composition 50mol%SiO 2·50mol%TiO 2.Figure 2UV-Vis reflectance spectra,experimental (solid line)and cal-culated (dashed line)for Sample 4,with composition 100mol%SiO 2.Figure 3Wavelength dependence of the real part of the refractive index,n ,of films,with compositions:(a)100mol%TiO 2,(b)25mol%SiO 2·75mol%TiO 2,(c)50mol%SiO 2·50mol%TiO 2,and (d)100mol%SiO 2.presented the experimental and calculated reflectance spectra for Sample 4.The good agreement between the two is also observed.The real part,n ,of the (complex)refractive index,calculated by using the FB parameters presented in Table I and Equation 1,is plotted in Fig.3,for each sample composition,as a function of the wavelength.As expected,the n of the composite films,varies be-tween the values corresponding to pure SiO 2and TiO 2.The n value of 1.43for the 100mol%SiO 2sample is in rather good agreement with the 1.421value reported for the sol-gel 100mol%SiO 2films sintered at 500◦C,on silicon wafers,of ref.[33].It is a value somewhat2837lower than that of ref.[32](1.47)for non-crystalline SiO 2which may be attributed to incomplete densifi-cation of the coatings due to the low temperature and short duration of the thermal treatment.It is worth noting at this point that,in spite of the fail-ure of the minimization program to obtain a physically acceptable value of B ,for the 100mol%SiO 2com-position,it gives overall good results.This is due to the mathematical similarity of Equation 1to formulas describing the refractive index dispersion.Our n values for the 100mol%TiO 2(2.18)are,in good agreement with the n values (2.1)for the 100mol%TiO 2films on soda-lime-silicate glass sub-strates of reference [34],sintered at 450◦C.They are lower than those reported in ref.[16]for TiO 2films produced by anodic oxidation of titanium,which can be assumed to be more dense.This fact could be at-tributed to differences in the preparation method,that induce differences in film structure.It is also to be noted in Fig.3that the increase in the n values with the increase of the TiO 2molar content is pared to other values obtained for sol-gel films of similar compositions [18,33],the com-posite SiO 2-TiO 2films (Samples 2,3)exhibit compa-rable indices of refraction,taking into account the dif-ferences in preparation,and nature of substrates.Our refractive index values can also be compared to the cor-responding values 1.48–2.39obtained in ref.[35]for composite films of similar compositions on fused silica substrates,but produced with an ion beam sputtering process.In that study,where the nature of the substrate remains unchanged throughout the samples,there is,as in our study,a smooth increase in the values of n with the increase of the TiO 2component molar content.Differences between our results and those of ref.[35],apart from discontinuities in the nature of the substrate for x =0,25,and 50,could also arise from the fact that the ratios of components of composite oxides we quote represent the ratio of the alkoxides in the prepar-ing solutions and not necessarily the actual ratios of the components in the films.Fig.4shows (α·E )1/2as a function of the pho-ton energy for the various film compositions,where α[=(4πk /λ)]is the absorption coefficient.ForSampleFigure 4Optical absorption spectra of films with compositions:(a)100mol%TiO 2,(b)25mol%SiO 2·75mol%TiO 2,and (c)50mol%SiO 2·50mol%TiO 2.Extrapolating the linear part of each graph the Tauc energy gap value is estimated.4(x =100)there is no curve in Fig.4because,as men-tioned above,the FB model has been modified,in that k has been set to zero for energies smaller than E g .It is observed that for all of the samples,the absorption edge presents a linear part at higher energies.For the Sam-ples 1,2,and 3,the slope of this linear part decreases with the increase of the SiO 2content while,the Tauc energy gap [29](defined as the point of interception of the linear part of the absorption edge with the energy axis)is blue shifted with it.It is worth noting at this point the significance of the different definitions of the energy gaps within the FB and Tauc’s model.While the first indicates the onset of absorption,the second is a means of describing higher values of absorption.In view of the above,the small variations of E g ,as defined by the FB model,reported in Table I,are justified.5.ConclusionsWe have measured the refractive index dispersion for very thin SiO 2-TiO 2sol-gel composite films,from their transmittance/or reflectance spectra using a straightfor-ward method.The n ,k and film thickness have been de-termined by one and only measurement with the use of a physical and an exact optical model.The film optical properties were described satisfactorily by the physi-cal method in the range 200–2500nm and the index of refraction values were observed to increase mono-tonically with the increase of the TiO 2molar content,ranging between 1.43for pure SiO 2to 2.18for pure TiO 2.The energy gap values,as defined by the model did not vary appreciably with the TiO 2molar content,while the Tauc energy gap increases with the SiO 2mo-lar content.AcknowledgementsWe thank EIIET II 296and GSRT for funding.References1.H .K .P U L K E R ,“Coatings on Glass”(Elsevier Amsterdam-Oxford-New York-Tokyo,1984).2.J .R A N C O U R T ,“Optical Thin Films-User’s Handbook”(MacGraw Hill,New York,1987).3.J .A U G U S T Y N S K I ,“Aspects of Photo-Electrochemical and Sur-face Behaviour of Titanium (IV)Oxide”(Springer-Verlag,Berlin,1988).4.M .F L E I S H E R and H .M E I X N E R ,Sensors Actuators B 4(1991)437.5.C .J .B R I N K E R and G .W .S C H E R E R ,“The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing”(Academic Press,Inc.,New York,1990).6.H .D .G E S S E R and P .C .G O S W A M I ,Chem.Rev.89(1989)765.7.D .G A L L A G H E R and T .A .R I N G ,Chimia 43(1989)298.8.D .Y .J E N G and M .N .R A H A M A N ,J.Mater.Sci.28(1993)4964.9.K .K A M I Y A and S .S A K K A ,J.Non-Cryst.Solids 52(1982)357.10.T .H A N A D A ,T .A I K A W A and N .S O G A ,J.Amer.Ceram.Soc.67(1984)52.11.H .D I S L I C H and E .H U S S M A N ,Thin Solid Films 77(1981)129.12.M .A N P O ,H .N A K A Y A ,S .K O D A M A ,Y .K UB O K A W A ,K .D O ME N and T .O N I S H I ,J.Phys.Chem.90(1986)1633.283813.K.T A N A B E,T.S U M I Y O S H I,K.S H I B A T A,T.K I Y O U R A and J.K I T A G A W A,Bull.Chem.Soc.Jpn.47(1974) 1064.14.M.I T O H,H.H A T T O R I and K.T A N A B E,J.Catalysis35(1974)225.15.A.M A T S U D A,Y.M A T S U N O,S.K A T A Y A M A,T.T S U N O,N.T O H G E and T.M I N A M I,J.Ceram.Soc.Jpn.(Int.Edition)100(9)(1992)1094.16.A.F O R O U H I and I.B L O O M E R,Phys.Rev.B34(1986)7018.17.C.C.T R A P A L I S,V.S.K O Z H U K H A R O V,B.I.S A M U N E V A and P.S T E F A N O V,J.Mater.Sci.28(1993)1276.18.X I N M I N D U and R.M.A L M E I D A,J.Sol-Gel Sci.Technol.8(1997)377.19.L.W E I S E N B A C H,T.L.D A V I S,B.J.J.Z E L I N S K I,R.L.R O N C O N E and L.A.W E L L E R-B R O P H Y,Mater.Res.Soc.180(1990)377.20.D.E.A S P N E S“Properties of Silicon,”INSPEC(The Institute ofElectrical Engineers EMIS Datareview RN,1988)p.72.21.I.J.M A L I T S O N,J.Opt.Soc.Amer.55(1965)1205.22.O.S.H E A V E N S,“Optical Properties of Thin Solid Films”(Dover Publications Inc.,New York,1965).23.R.P E T T I T,C.S.A S H L E Y,S.T.R E E D and C.J.B R I N K E R,in“Sol-Gel Technology for Thin Films,Fibers,Per-forms,Electronics and Specialty Shapes,”edited by L.C.Klein (Noyes Publications,USA,1988).24.P.C H R Y S I C O P O U L O U,D.D A V A Z O G L O U,C.T R A P A L I S and G.K O R D A S,Thin Solid Films323(1998)188.25.D.D A V A Z O G L O U,Appl.Phys.Lett.70(1997)1.26.Idem.,Thin Solid Films302(1997)204.27.J.P E T A L A S and S.L O G O T H E T I D I S,Phys.Rev.B50(1994)11801.28.D.D A V A Z O G L O U and A.I L I A D I S,in“Material Ordering,Composition,Modulation and Self-Assembled Structures,”edited by D.Jones,A.Muscarhenas,P.Petroff and R.Bhat(ISBN I-55899-320-7,1996)vol.417.29.N.F.M O T T and E.D A V I S,“Electronic Processes in Non-Crystalline Materials”(Clarendon Press,Oxford,1979).30.D.D A V A Z O G L O U,D.K O U V A T S O S and E.V A L A M O N T E S,in“Chemical Vapor Deposition,”edited by M.D.Allendorf and C.Bernard(Electrochem.Soc.Proc.,1997) V ol.97,No.25,p.796.31.F.J A M E S,Function Minimization,in Proceedings of the1972CERN Computing and Data Processing School,Pertisau,Austria, 10–24Sept.1972.32.H.R.P H I L I P P,“Properties of Silicon,”INSPEC(The Instituteof Electrical Engineers,1987)p.1015.33.S.M.M E L P O L D E R,A.W.W E S T,C.L.B A R N E S andT.N.B L A N T O N,J.Mater.Sci.26(1991)3585.34.K.B A N G E,C.R.O T T E R M A N,O.A N D E R S O N,U.J E S C H K O W S K I,M.L A U B E and R.F E I L E,Thin Solid Films 197(1991)279.35.H.D E M I R Y O N T,Appl.Opt.26(16)(1985)2647.Received2December2002and accepted5January20042839。
Study of Optical Properties of ThinFilmsThin films have been gaining significant importance in many technological and scientific applications. These films are defined as having a thickness that is less than a micrometer but greater than a few atomic layers. They are deposited on various types of substrates using different deposition techniques such as sputtering, evaporation, and chemical vapor deposition. Thin films find their applications in several fields, including solar cells, optoelectronics, microelectronics, displays, and sensors. To study the optical properties of thin films, various experimental techniques are used, such as spectroscopic ellipsometry, optical reflectivity, and transmission measurements.The optical properties of thin films are an important aspect to consider in their application. These properties depend on various factors such as the composition of the film, the deposition method, the substrate material, and the film thickness. Optical properties such as refractive index, the extinction coefficient, and the absorption coefficient are important parameters that determine the behavior of thin films when exposed to light. The refractive index measures the speed of light in the film relative to that in the surrounding medium. The extinction coefficient describes the loss in the energy of light propagating in the film. The absorption coefficient defines the extent to which the film absorbs light.One of the popular methods to study the optical properties of thin films is spectroscopic ellipsometry. Spectroscopic ellipsometry measures the change in the polarization of light reflected from the film surface. The polarization state of light changes when it reflects from a surface due to changes in the refractive index of the film. By measuring the changes in the polarization state of reflected light, it is possible to determine the refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the film at different wavelengths. Spectroscopic ellipsometry provides a non-destructive and accurate method to determine the optical properties of thin films.Another technique to measure the optical properties of thin films is optical reflectivity. The reflectivity of a thin film is determined by measuring the intensity of the light reflected from the film surface as a function of the incident angle. The reflectivity spectrum provides information on the refractive index and the extinction coefficient of the film. The reflectivity method measures the optical properties of the film at a single wavelength, and hence, it is necessary to perform measurements at different wavelengths to determine the optical properties of the film accurately.Transmission measurements are another method used to study the optical properties of thin films. In transmission measurements, the sample is illuminated with light of a specific wavelength, and the transmitted light intensity is measured as a function of the film thickness. The transmission spectrum provides information on the absorption coefficient of the film. The transmission measurements are useful to study the energy gap of semiconducting thin films that have applications in solar cells.In conclusion, thin films play an important role in various technological applications, and the optical properties of thin films are critical to their behavior when exposed to light. Experimental techniques such as spectroscopic ellipsometry, optical reflectivity, and transmission measurements are used to study the optical properties of thin films. These techniques provide a non-destructive and accurate way to determine the refractive index, the extinction coefficient, and the absorption coefficient of thin films. An understanding of the optical properties of thin films is important to design and optimize their applications.。
Advanced Optical Properties of
Materials
随着科学技术的不断发展,材料科学也在不断的进步中,特别是光学材料。
随着人们对光的认识日益深入,对光学材料的要求也越来越高。
光学材料的最主要特性是它的光学性能,其中不乏一些现代先进的光学特性。
一、色变效应
色变效应是指材料在不同光照条件下颜色的变化。
银石墨烯是一种新型的色变材料,在光的作用下,在低波长光照下高透过率,红外光照下低透过率。
这种颜色变化可用来制备智能光学器件。
二、荧光效应
荧光效应是指材料在受到激发后在某些波长下发出荧光光谱。
荧光材料广泛应用于生物医药检测、紫外线检测等领域。
例如,氧化钆蛋白是一种荧光材料,具有很快的响应速度和高的灵敏度。
它可以广泛应用于微生物检测、环境污染检测等领域。
三、电致变色效应
电致变色效应是指材料在电场作用下,颜色的变化。
这种效应被广泛应用于信息显示、太阳能电池等领域。
例如,铁氰化铁是一种电致变色材料,可以广泛应用于电致变色太阳能电池的制备。
四、光子晶体效应
光子晶体效应是指材料在受到特定波长的光照射时会发生厚度对波长的选择性反射。
这种效应可被应用于光通信、光电子器件等领域。
例如,聚苯乙烯是一种光子晶体材料,可以用来制备窄波长滤光器、超光速光学器件等。
总之,现代先进的光学特性是材料科学持续发展的产物,其中每一个特性都对应着特定的应用领域,具有巨大的应用价值。
未来,将有越来越多的先进光学特性被发现和应用。
Optical properties of thin polymer filmsStefka N. Kasarova*a, Nina G. Sultanova a, Tzveta Petrova b,Violeta Dragostinova b, Ivan D. Nikolov c,a Dept. of Mathematics and Physics, University “Assen Zlatarov"- Bourgas,1 Prof. Yakimov Str., Bourgas-8010, Bulgaria,b Central Laboratory of Optical Storage and Processing of Information,Bulgarian Academy of Sciences,Bl. 101, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Sofia-1113, Bulgaria,c Dept. of Optics and Spectroscopy, Faculty of Physics, Sofia University,5 J. Bourchier Blvd., Sofia-1164, BulgariaABSTRACTIn this report three types of optical polymer thin films deposited on glass substrates are investigated. Transmission spectra of the polymer samples are obtained in the range from 400 nm to 1500 nm. A laser microrefractometer has been used to measure the refractive indices of the examined materials at 406, 656, 910 and 1320 nm. Dispersion properties of the polymer films are analyzed on the base of the Cauchy – Schott’s and Sellmeier`s approximations. Dispersion coefficients are calculated and dispersion charts in the visible and near infrared spectral regions are presented and compared. Abbe numbers of mean and partial dispersion of the polymer films are obtained. Calculation of refractive indices at many laser emission wavelengths in the considered spectral range is accomplished.Keywords: Thin polymer films, laser microrefractometer, refractive indices, transmission spectrum, dispersion curvesINTRODUCTIONOptical properties of polymer materials are an important area of research because of their wide use in optical elements and systems. The investigation of thin polymer films is of great interest for producers and designers of displays, optical sensors, fibers and waveguides, storage devices, etc1,2.We have studied various types of bulk plastics in our previous papers3,4,5. Refractive index data of the examined optical polymers (OPs) at different wavelengths from 435 nm to 1052 nm has been measured applying the deviation angle method3. Detailed analysis of the dispersion properties of the OPs has been also accomplished5. However, many bulk optical properties can deviate considerably in respect to the properties of the material in thin film form. A simple laser microrefractometer, based on the method of the disappearing diffraction pattern, has been used for measuring the refractive indices of thin organic films at two wavelengths6,7. The same principle has been applied for refractometric measurements of aqueous dispersions containing metal and polymer particles8 and also in case of silica MFI doped acrylamide-based photopolymer nanocomposites9. In our previous studies10,11 we have assembled a three-wavelength laser microrefractometer for measuring the refractive indices of liquids and thin solid films at laser wavelengths of 532, 632.8 and 790 nm. Refractive and dispersive characteristics of polymer solutions with different concentrations and thin polymer layers with varying thickness have been determined and reported.The purpose of this work is to study the optical properties of thin films obtained from solutions of polymer materials and to compare them to the properties of the bulk OPs. Refractive indices of the examined polymer samples are measured at four wavelengths in the spectral region from 405 to 1320 nm. The broad measuring spectral region assures more precise estimation of the dispersion in comparison with our previous results11. Transmission spectra and dispersive characteristics of the thin polymer films are also presented.*kasarova_st@; phone 359 56 858 370; fax 1 222 555-876; www.btu.bgInternational Conference on Ultrafast and Nonlinear Optics 2009, edited bySolomon Saltiel, Alexander Dreischuh, Ivan Christov, Proc. of SPIE Vol. 7501,75010P · © 2009 SPIE · CCC code: 0277-786X/09/$18 · doi: 10.1117/12.8490752. EXPERIMENTAL2.1. Preparation of thin polymer filmsPellets of Polyester, Polyacrylate and Cellulose produced by Eastman Chemical Company (USA) were dissolved in chloroform with concentration of 10 wt%. Thin films with different thickness were obtained by casting a certain amount of the solution on the glass substrate. The Polyester and Polyacrylate were deposited on a heavy TF4 glass plates with surface areas of 5 cm2 and 8 cm2, respectively. A TK21 glass was used for the low refractive Cellulose. The samples were dried at temperature of 20 o C for 48 hours and then were heated up to 60 o C during 6 hours to evaporate the rest of the solvent. The prepared thin polymer films were preserved in a desiccator.2.2. InstrumentalTransmittances of the thin polymer films were measured using a UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer Varian Carry 5E. In this study transmission spectra were obtained in the spectral range from 400 nm to 1500 nm with an accuracy of 0.2 %.A digital micrometer produced by Mitutoyo Corporation was used for measuring the film thickness with an accuracy of ± 1 μm.Refractive indices of the thin polymer films were measured with a four-wavelength laser microrefractometer proposed in12. The principal scheme of the experimental set-up is illustrated in Fig.1. An electronic block controls the power supply 1 consisting of a charging unit and a 6 V rechargeable battery. The used four laser diodes are mounted in the optical head 2. The diodes are placed at four fixed positions and switching of a separate laser source is realized mechanically. Each laser beam is carefully adjusted in the vertical and horizontal plane to ensure passing of the beam through the two diaphragms 3 which are separated at a distance of 250 mm and have an equal diameter of 2 mm. The laser beam illuminates the internal surface of the prism unit 4 which is made from heavy flint optical glass TF4. The prism’s refractive angle is A = 64.76 o. It is mounted on a “Microcontrolle” rotary goniometric stage 5 with 1 arcmin resolution. The examined sample 6 is placed between the prism and the used chromium diffraction grating 7 with a 40 μm period and 0.8 μm depth of the grooves. At angles less than the critical angle of the sample the falling laser beam passes through the sample and diffracts at the metal grating. The reflected diffraction pattern is observed on the screen 8. When the angle of incidence reaches the critical angle of the material the diffraction orders disappear. The used laser diodes generate at 406, 656, 910 and 1320 nm, respectively. An infrared beam-finder card, model IRC32R (Electrophysics), with peak emission at 655 nm and spectral range 0.8 – 1.7 μm, was used to visualize the diffraction image in the infrared spectral region.Fig.1. Principle scheme of the experimental set-up: 1 – power supply; 2– laser optical head, 3 – diaphragms; 4 – TF4 prism;5 – goniometric table;6 – sample;7 – diffraction grating; 8– screen.As we rotate the goniometric table the critical angle ϕc can be measured when the diffraction pattern disappears and the refractive index of the sample then can be calculated by the expression:(1) where N and A are the refractive index and the vertex angle of the used prism. The signs “+” and “–“ in formula (1) correspond to anticlockwise and clockwise rotation of the goniometric table in respect to the normal position of the incident beam. Refractive indices of the TF4 glass prism at the considered wavelengths are determined or calculated by fitting the data published in LOMO Glass Catalogue 13. The corresponding values are N406 = 1.7886, N656 = 1.7324, N910 = 1.7173 and N1320 = 1.7089, respectively. Methylene iodide with a refractive index of n633 =1.732 was applied to ensure the optical contact during the measurements. All results were received at room temperature of 21 o C.We carried out some additional refractometric measurements of the thin polymer samples. A He-Ne laser and a laser diode generating at 632.8 and 532 nm, respectively have been also used to ensure more precise analysis of the dispersion properties of the materials. The same measuring method was applied and refractive indices were determined by Eq. 1 using the magnitudes of N at the corresponding wavelengths10,11.3.RESULTS AND DISCUSSION3.1. Transmission spectra of thin polymer filmsMost optical plastics transmit well in the visible and near-infrared regions of the spectrum14. Our previous measurements show that there are weak absorption bands at about 1680 and 2150 nm, and considerable energy absorption is observed at wavelengths greater then2300 nm11. The measured transmission spectra of the examined thin polymer films show values of average transmittance of 85 % in the considered spectral range from 400 nm to 1500 nm, as it can be seen in Fig. 2, presenting the transmission spectrum of the Cellulose sample. All obtained transmission spectra confirm normal dispersion of the examined polymers and their refraction properties can be analysed by means of the dispersion3.2. Measured refractive indicesThe magnitudes of the measured refractive indices of the thin polymer samples obtained at six wavelengths are presented in Table 1, where d is the film thickness. The estimated uncertainty of the results is ± 0.002 and takes into consideration the reported maximal standard deviation of the four-wavelength laser microrefractometer12.Table 1. Measured refractive indices of thin polymer films.Polymer material d [μm] Wavelength [nm]406 532 632.8 656 910 1320Polyester 40 1.513 1.502 1.496 1.495 1.489 1.486Polyacrylate 6 1.501 1.490 1.485 1.484 1.478 1.476Cellulose 9 1.493 1.473 1.467 1.466 1.460 1.4573.3. Dispersion of polymer filmsIn our previous measurements 4,5, using the deviation angle method, the polymer samples have been prepared as plates with thickness between 2 ÷ 5.1 mm and their average volume refractive indices are obtained. In case of the studied polymer thin films, where the critical angle method is applied, the local surface value of the refractive index is measured. Our results for the Polyacrylate and Cellulose bulk samples have been obtained at different wavelengths in the spectral range from 435.8 to 1052 nm. However, the only common wavelength in both methods is the He-Ne generating line of 632.8 nm where mutual comparison of the obtained results is possible. Our measurement results for both cases show that the refractive index data of the films differs from the obtained values for bulk polymers as a consequence of the existing distinction between the refractive index local surface value and the average volume value.Dispersion properties of the examined polymer films have been analysed by means of the Cauchy’s and Sellmeier’s approximations which are applicable in the region of normal dispersion 3. We have applied the modified Cauchy–Schott formula 5 involving six dispersion coefficients which assures calculation accuracy better than ±0.0001. The Sellmeier’s dispersion relation can be also represented in the form of a series of single-dipole oscillator terms 15. Usually, three terms in the Sellmeier’s approximation ensure sufficient accuracy over typical wavelengths of interest. On the base of the measured refractive index data presented in Table 1 the dispersion coefficients of the investigated thin polymer films were determined by the expressions:(2)(3) where A 1,…, A 6i i oscillators’ strength and resonance wavelengths. The dispersion coefficients in Eq. (2) were determined with the aid of a system consisting of six linear equations. The Sellmeier’s coefficients were calculated by Levenberg–Marquardt method which requires guess values. Initially, our first guess value for B 1 was assumed to be 1 while the rest five coefficients were put to be 0.1. Next, the obtained results were substituted as initial values and then this procedure was repeated. The error of the function S(B i ,C i (4) be used to draw the dispersion curves of the examined materials. The dependence of the refractive index on the wavelength in the considered region from 400 to 1320 μm is illustrated for the Polyester thin film in Fig. 3.As it can be seen the dispersion curve obtained by Eq. (2) (solid line) passes exactly through the points corresponding to the measured values of the refractive index. This means that precise measurements are required to ensure high accuracy of the calculated dispersion charts. Calculations by means of the Sellmeier’s equation (3) result in the dot line curve in Fig. 3 which shows a slight deviation compared with the solid line curve. However, the differences between both charts are of the order of the measuring uncertainty.Dispersion charts of bulk and thin film polymer materials are presented in Fig. 4. The Polyacrylate thin film has lower values of refractive index compared to the bulk material’s values (Fig. 4–a). The slopes of the dispersion curves are similar in both cases, especially in the red and near infrared ranges. Comparison between dispersive properties of the Cellulose bulk and thin film samples can be made on the base of Fig. 4–b. Refractive indices values of the bulk polymer sample are slightly smaller at the beginning of the visible range while they exceed the film materials’ values in the red and infrared light. It seems that dispersion of the bulk material sample in this case is lower compared to the polymer film. In Fig. 4-a, however, this dependence is opposite especially at the beginning of the visible interval. These results can not be however definitive since each measured value of the thin film polymer refractive index occurs at different local surface point for each of the used laser sources.a) Polyacrylate and b) Cellulose samples.3.4. Computed refractive indices and Abbe numbersOn the base of Eq. 2 random refractive indices of the polymer materials at any fixed wavelength in the region of normal dispersion can be computed. The obtained results for the examined films at some emission wavelengths of well-known lasing media in the visible and near infrared spectral regions are presented in Table 2. Computed indices of the polymer films at He-Ne laser wavelength λ = 632.8 nm are also included. Verification of measured and calculated refractive indices (Table 1 and Table 2) shows that their values may differ in the range of the measuring accuracy ± 0.002.In the last two columns of Table 2 Abbe numbers νd and ν1010 nm are given to characterize the dispersion properties in (5) where n d , n F and n C near infrared region is defined as follows:(6) Here n 700, n 1010, n 1320region.Our results show that the Polyacrylate and Cellulose films have lower magnitudes of Abbe numbers in the visible area in comparison with the bulk samples 5 and therefore – higher dispersion. The same tendency is observed for the partial dispersion in the near infrared region, though it was defined at different spectral lines in both cases. As it is well known, the variation of the refractive index with respect to the wavelength is connected with the molecular polarisability according to the classical electromagnetic theory. However, the effective electric field acting on a molecule is not the same in the volume of the substance and its surface boundary. Therefore, the dispersion properties in both cases should be different.Table 2. Calculated refractive indices of polymer film at different lase r emission wavelengths and Abbe numbers.Polymer filmWavelengths [nm] Abbe numbers 405 488 532 632.8 694.3 840 1064 1080 νd ν1010Polyester 1.514 1.504 1.501 1.496 1.494 1.490 1.488 1.488 52.7 70.1Polyacrylate 1.501 1.493 1.489 1.485 1.483 1.480 1.477 1.477 55.1 73.2Cellulose 1.493 1.478 1.473 1.467 1.465 1.461 1.458 1.458 40.9 61.25.SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONSMeasured and calculated refractometric data is presented for three types of thin polymer films (Table 1 and 2). Transmission spectra (Fig. 2) reveal normal dispersion of the studied materials in the visible and near infrared regions. Cauchy-Schott and Sellmeier approximations (Eqs. 2 and 3) are used to calculate the dispersion coefficients and dispersion charts of the polymer films. Comparison between the refractive and dispersive properties of bulk and thin film polymers is accomplished (Fig. 4). The results do not coincide. In the case of bulk optical samples average volume refractive index is measured while for thin film polymers a local surface value is obtained. The latter depends on the film thickness at the place of the laser beam incidence as well as on the free surface energy6. The quality and uniformity of the films depend mainly on the adhesion and viscosity of the solutions, and also on the hardening time which affects additionally the measuring results. As a consequence, the dispersive properties of the thin polymers also differ. In case of the Polyacrylate material, dispersion is greater at the beginning of the visible range for the bulk polymer (Fig. 4-a) while the Cellulose film exhibits higher dispersion than the bulk sample in the same range (Fig. 4-b). These results can not show permanent tendency since measured local surface value of the index of refraction may differ from point to point. The accuracy for presented data of bulk and film polymers is also different because of the applied measuring method. Measured and calculated indices of bulk polymers are within limits of ± 0.001 as reported in3 while the uncertainty of the results for the polymer films is ± 0.002. Nevertheless, some conclusions about dispersion properties of OPs in both cases can be drawn. Our calculations show that the mean dispersion (Eq. 5) of the polymer films is considerably greater compared to the bulk samples while partial dispersion values, estimated by Eq. 6, are very close (Table 2). This confirms the flat wavelength dispersion of OPs in the near infrared region and makes them well-suited for broad spectrum applications there. Dispersion is much more a limiting factor for thin polymer films in the visible spectrum, especially at shorter wavelengths.Presented measured and calculated refractometric data could be useful in the design and production technology of optical systems and elements.REFERENCES[1]Beev, K., Temelkov, K., Vuchkov, N., Petrova, Tz., Dragostinova, V., Stoycheva-Topalova, R., Sainov, S. andSabotinov, N., “Optical properties of polymer films for near UV recording”, J. Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 7(3), 1315-1318, (2005).[2]Swalen, J. D., Santo, R., Tacke, M. and Fischer, J., “Properties of polymeric thin films by integrated opticaltechniques”, IBM J. Res. Dev. 21, 168-175, (1977).[3]Sultanova, N., Nikolov, I. and Ivanov, C., “Measuring the refractometric characteristics of optical plastics”, Opt.Quant. Electron. 35, 21-34, (2003).[4] Sultanova, N., Kasarova, S., Ivanov, C. and Nikolov, I., “Refractive data of optical plastics for laser applications”,Proc. SPIE6252 (62520H), (2006).[5]Kasarova, S., Sultanova, N. and Nikolov, I., “Analysis of the dispersion of optical plastic materials”, Opt. Mater. 29(11), 1481-1490 (2007).[6]Petrova, K., Nikolova, K., Leonkieva, V., Kitova, S. and Sainov, S., “Refractometric investigations of thin organicfilms”, J. Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 9, 464-467, (2007).[7]Yovcheva, T., Sainov, S. and Mekishev, G., “Corona-charged polypropylene films investigated by a laserrefractometer”, J. Optoelectron. Adv. Mater. 9 (7), 2087-2090, (2007).[8]Sarov, Y., Kostic, I., Capek, I., Andok, R., Sarova, V., Capek, P. and Rangelov, I. W., “Refractometric investigationand analysis of nano-scaled dispersions”, Proc.SPIE 5830, 491-495, (2005).[9]Babeva, Tz., Todorov, R., Mintova, S., Yovcheva, T., Naydenova, I. and Toal, V., “Optical properties of silica MFIdoped acrylamide-based photopolymer”, J. of Optics A: Pure and Applied Optics 11, 024015 (8 pp) (2009).[10]Kasarova, S., Sultanova, N., Petrova, T., Dragostinova, V. and Nikolov, I., Three-wavelength lasermicrorefractometer”, Proc. SPIE 7027-59 (2008).[11]Kasarova, S., Sultanova, N., Petrova, T., Dragostinova, V. and Nikolov, I., “Refractive characteristics of thinpolymer films”, 15th International School on Condensed Matter Physics, Varna, Bulgaria, September 2008, J.Optoelectron. Adv. Mater., in press.[12]Vlaeva, I., Yovcheva, T., Zdavkov, K., Minchev, G. and Stoykova E., “Design and testing of four-wavelength lasermicrorefractometer”, Proc. SPIE 7027-27 (2008).[13]Optical Glass – Russian standard 13659-68, LOMO Optical Catalogue.[14][The handbook of plastic optics], U. S. Precision Lens, Cincinnati, Ohio 45245, Chap. 2, (1973).[15]Tan, W. C., Koughia, K., Singh, J. and Kasap S., in [Optical Properties of Condensed Matter and Applications],John Wiley & Sons, 9 (2006).。