Birefringence reduction method for optical polymers by the orientation-inhibition effect of silica particles

摘要

A method for reducing the orientational birefringence of polymers by doping with optically isotropic silica particles is reported. Particles with a diameter of 16 nm were selected and their surface was treated with dimethyldichlorosilane. Doping with 1 wt% of the particles reduced about 15% of the orientational birefringence of polycarbonate and poly(methylmethacrylate) films regardless of the sign and the magnitude of their birefringence. The analysis of the infrared dichroic ratio confirmed an effect in which the particles reduced the orientation of polycarbonate main chains. The effect that caused the reduction of birefringence was named "the orientation-inhibition effect."