Laser-active polymer materials for waveguide fabrication

We are studying the possibility to broaden the applicability of polymers by introducing optically-active characteristics. The optically-active polymers we develop are nanocomposites with lasing capabilities, that can be produced using two alternative techniques. The first one is the incorporation of laser-generated 10-100 nm size nanoparticles of active media, eg., Nd:glass. Thermoplastics and photoresins are identified as suitable matrixes. Alternatively, doping of fluorinated photoresins by a solute based dispersion of optically active ions is examined. Using these optically- and laser-active polymers we fabricated diverse micro-optical components, including waveguides. In this work, we address physical properties of such nanocomposite materials, including measurements of optical losses, radiative lifetime and gain. We prove that these materials have a high potential to be used for integrated, disposable, recyclable on-chip and on-foil laser applications.