Improving the Efficiency of a Polymer Nanocomposite for Formation of Photon Structures by Means of Optical Recording.

We present the results of investigation of conditions leading to optimization of an optical recording medium based on photosensitive urethane–acrylate nanocomposites containing silicone oxide nanoparticles that is used for efficient recording of Bragg gratings by means of multiple-beam interference. It is demonstrated that the choice of most efficient monomers and their concentration in the nanocomposite depending on their structure and the rate of polymerization, followed by finding optimal intensity of recording radiation for given composition, allows regulating the conditions for component diffusion thereby optimizing their redistribution in the recording medium and formation of regions with different values of refractive index. The results of the study can be used for creation of complex 2D and 3D photonic structures based on purposeful modification of light-sensitive polymer nanocomposites exhibiting various properties (luminescent, nonlinear-optical, etc.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]