Open AccessLarge refractive index change in silicone-based and non-silicone-based hydrogel polymers induced by femtosecond laser micro-machining
Author(s) -
Li Ding,
R.I. Blackwell,
Jay F. Künzler,
Wayne H. Knox
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
optics express
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.394
H-Index - 271
ISSN - 1094-4087
DOI - 10.1364/oe.14.011901
Subject(s) - materials science , femtosecond , refractive index , silicone , laser , optics , machining , sapphire , diffraction efficiency , polymer , optoelectronics , diffraction , composite material , grating , physics , metallurgy
A Ti:Sapphire femtosecond laser with a pulse energy of 1.3 nJ at a 93 MHz repetition rate has been used to micro-machine optical gratings inside several silicone-based and non-silicone-based hydrogel polymers. By measuring the diffraction efficiency of the gratings at 632.8 nm, we find as large as 0.06+/- 0.005 average refractive index change within the irradiated area.