Photochemistry of refractive index structures in poly(methyl methacrylate) by femtosecond laser irradiation

Alexandra Baum; Patricia J. Scully; Maria Basanta; C. L. Paul Thomas; Peter R. Fielden; Nicholas J. Goddard; Walter Perrie; Paul R. Chalker

doi:10.1364/OL.32.000190

Photochemistry of refractive index structures in poly(methyl methacrylate) by femtosecond laser irradiation

Alexandra Baum
, Patricia J. Scully
, Maria Basanta
, C. L. Paul Thomas
, Peter R. Fielden
, Nicholas J. Goddard
, Walter Perrie
, Paul R. Chalker

Research output: Contribution to a Journal (Peer & Non Peer) › Article › peer-review

90 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Femtosecond, subablation threshold photomodification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 387 nm is explored to enable fabrication of optical components. Volatile fragment analysis (thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and molecular weight distribution monitoring (size exclusion chromatography) suggest photochemical modification, involving direct cleavage of the polymer backbone and propagation via chain unzipping under formation of monomers, similar to the pyrolytic degradation of PMMA. Waveguides were produced in undoped, clinical-grade PMMA, showing an increased refractive index in the laser focal region (Δn_max= 4×10^-3).

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	190-192
Number of pages	3
Journal	Optics Letters
Volume	32
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1364/OL.32.000190
Publication status	Published - 15 Jan 2007
Externally published	Yes

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10.1364/OL.32.000190

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title = "Photochemistry of refractive index structures in poly(methyl methacrylate) by femtosecond laser irradiation",

abstract = "Femtosecond, subablation threshold photomodification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 387 nm is explored to enable fabrication of optical components. Volatile fragment analysis (thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and molecular weight distribution monitoring (size exclusion chromatography) suggest photochemical modification, involving direct cleavage of the polymer backbone and propagation via chain unzipping under formation of monomers, similar to the pyrolytic degradation of PMMA. Waveguides were produced in undoped, clinical-grade PMMA, showing an increased refractive index in the laser focal region (Δnmax= 4×10-3).",

author = "Alexandra Baum and Scully, \{Patricia J.\} and Maria Basanta and \{Paul Thomas\}, \{C. L.\} and Fielden, \{Peter R.\} and Goddard, \{Nicholas J.\} and Walter Perrie and Chalker, \{Paul R.\}",

year = "2007",

month = jan,

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doi = "10.1364/OL.32.000190",

language = "English",

volume = "32",

pages = "190--192",

journal = "Optics Letters",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Photochemistry of refractive index structures in poly(methyl methacrylate) by femtosecond laser irradiation

AU - Baum, Alexandra

AU - Scully, Patricia J.

AU - Basanta, Maria

AU - Paul Thomas, C. L.

AU - Fielden, Peter R.

AU - Goddard, Nicholas J.

AU - Perrie, Walter

AU - Chalker, Paul R.

PY - 2007/1/15

Y1 - 2007/1/15

N2 - Femtosecond, subablation threshold photomodification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 387 nm is explored to enable fabrication of optical components. Volatile fragment analysis (thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and molecular weight distribution monitoring (size exclusion chromatography) suggest photochemical modification, involving direct cleavage of the polymer backbone and propagation via chain unzipping under formation of monomers, similar to the pyrolytic degradation of PMMA. Waveguides were produced in undoped, clinical-grade PMMA, showing an increased refractive index in the laser focal region (Δnmax= 4×10-3).

AB - Femtosecond, subablation threshold photomodification of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at 387 nm is explored to enable fabrication of optical components. Volatile fragment analysis (thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) and molecular weight distribution monitoring (size exclusion chromatography) suggest photochemical modification, involving direct cleavage of the polymer backbone and propagation via chain unzipping under formation of monomers, similar to the pyrolytic degradation of PMMA. Waveguides were produced in undoped, clinical-grade PMMA, showing an increased refractive index in the laser focal region (Δnmax= 4×10-3).

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/33847392520

U2 - 10.1364/OL.32.000190

DO - 10.1364/OL.32.000190

M3 - Article

SN - 0146-9592

VL - 32

SP - 190

EP - 192

JO - Optics Letters

JF - Optics Letters

IS - 2

ER -

Photochemistry of refractive index structures in poly(methyl methacrylate) by femtosecond laser irradiation

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