One Dimensional Photonic Crystals Using Ultrahigh Refractive Index Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers

We report on the fabrication of wholly polymeric one-dimensional (1-D) photonic crystals (i.e., Bragg reflectors, Bragg mirrors) via solution processing for use in the near (NIR) and the short wave (SWIR) infrared spectrum (1–2 μm) with very high reflectance (<i>R</i> ∼ 90–97%). Facile fabrication of these highly reflective films was enabled by direct access to solution processable, ultrahigh refractive index polymers, termed, Chalcogenide Hybrid Inorganic/Organic Polymers (CHIPs). The high refractive index (<i>n</i>) of CHIPs materials (<i>n</i> = 1.75–2.10) allowed for the production of narrow band IR Bragg reflectors with high refractive index contrast (Δ<i>n</i> ∼ 0.5) when fabricated with low <i>n</i> polymers, such as cellulose acetate (<i>n</i> = 1.47). This is the highest refractive index contrast (Δ<i>n</i> ∼ 0.5) demonstrated for an all-polymeric Bragg mirror which directly enabled high reflectivity from films with 22 layers or less. Facile access to modular, thin, highly reflective films from inexpensive CHIPs materials offers a new route to IR Bragg reflectors and other reflective coatings with potential applications for IR photonics, commercial sensing, and LIDAR applications