Analysis of optical properties of special fibers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) depending on the different methods of mixing PDMS and curing agent

摘要

The authors focused on the problems of measurement of attenuation and homogeneity of special fibers of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) depending on three different procedures for mixing PDMS and curing agent. We used a two-component elastomer Sylgard 184. For mixing was used a defined ratio of 10:1 for PDMS, which was determined based on the datasheet. Curing of samples took place in a heat box at a constant temperature of 80 °C ± 3 °C. Three procedures were defined for mixing PDMS and curing agent: manual, using a laboratory shaker and ultrasonic baths. For each method of mixing was carried out a total of 25 samples. The test samples have a defined shape in the form of a cylindrical waveguide with a diameter of 5 mm and a length of 50 mm. The whole process of production of cylindrical waveguides applied in the protective vacuum box. To verify the homogeneity of the samples were divided into 5 mm sections, measured was the attenuation constant in both directions. As a source of radiation was used LED (Light Emitting Diode) with a wavelength of 470 nm. The outcome of this study is the evaluation of the quality waveguides by the size of the total attenuation and the attenuation constant for analysis of spreading out in homogeneities depending on the procedure of mixing PDMS and curing agent. The analysis performed with regarding the use of PDMS for its optical properties.