Polymer Optic Technology

摘要

A polymer is a large molecule, or macromolecule, composed of many repeated subunits. Because of their broad range of properties, [1] both synthetic and natural polymers play an essential and ubiquitous role in everyday life.[2] Polymers range from familiar synthetic plastics such as polystyrene to natural biopolymers such as DNA and proteins that are fundamental to biological structure and function. Polymers, both natural and synthetic, are created via polymerization of many small molecules, known as monomers. Their consequently large molecular mass relative to small molecule compounds produces unique physical properties, including toughness, viscoelasticity, and a tendency to form glasses and semi crystalline structures rather than crystals. In this article we will investigate the role of polymers in optics and photonics and we will cite examples of polymers used in optics.