Two-photon-induced thiol-ene polymerization as a fabrication tool for flexible optical waveguides

Abstract

In this contribution, we present two flexible thiol-ene-based hybrid materials based on epoxy and acetoxy polysiloxane matrix materials. The latter cross-linking mechanisms allow for orthogonal curing of the matrix in the presence of thiol-ene monomers enabling fast one-step access to two-photon-polymerization (2PP) curable substrates for waveguide fabrication. Another time-saving feature of our concept is the straightforward UV-flood-curing after 2PP, which is also a progress compared to previous works with elaborate postprocessing. Optimization of the ratio of thiol/ene moieties with respect to reactivity and analyses of the thermal stability of the materials, which is required for the industrial process, were carried out. Besides investigations regarding the refractive index of the materials, the proof of principle for successful waveguiding will be given. Flexible optical waveguides were successfully fabricated inside a low refractive polysiloxane matrix material.