Comparative study of photobleachable polysilane copolymers applied to optical waveguides

Abstract Three different copolymers, poly(methylphenylsilane)–poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMPS–PMMA), PMPS–poly(styrene) (PMPS–PS), and PMPS –poly(benzylmethacrylate) (PMPS–PBzMA), were prepared by photopolymerization using PMPS as a macromolecular photo-radical initiator. For optical waveguide fabrication, their UV spectra, photobleaching, refractive index change and optical properties were comparatively investigated. Furthermore, channel waveguides were successfully fabricated using these copolymers and their optical propagation properties were reported, the results indicate that they are potential materials for optical waveguide applications.