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Homogeneous polymer blend microparticles with a tunable refractive index

Journal Article · · Optics Letters
; ; ; ; ;  [1];  [2]
  1. Chemical and Analytical Sciences Division, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, P.O. Box 2008, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37831-6142 (United States)
  2. Department of Materials Science, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011 (United States)

We show that homogeneous polymer blend microparticles can be prepared {ital in situ} from droplets of dilute solution of codissolved polymers. Provided that the droplet of solution is small enough ({lt}10 {mu}m) , solvent evaporation is rapid enough to inhibit phase separation. Thus the polymers that are being mixed need not be miscible, which greatly enhances the applicability of the technique. From analysis of two-dimensional Fraunhofer diffraction (angular scattering) patterns, we show that both the real and the imaginary parts of the refractive index can be tuned by adjustment of the relative weight fractions of polymers in solution. {copyright} {ital 1999} {ital Optical Society of America}

Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Laboratory
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-96OR22464
OSTI ID:
295512
Journal Information:
Optics Letters, Journal Name: Optics Letters Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 24; ISSN OPLEDP; ISSN 0146-9592
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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