Waveguiding properties of individual electrospun polymer nanofibers

Yuya Ishii; Ryohei Kaminose; Mitsuo Fukuda

doi:10.1117/12.2022813

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10 September 2013 Waveguiding properties of individual electrospun polymer nanofibers

Yuya Ishii, Ryohei Kaminose, Mitsuo Fukuda

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Proceedings Volume 8827, Optical Processes in Organic Materials and Nanostructures II; 882708 (2013) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2022813
Event: SPIE Organic Photonics + Electronics, 2013, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Optical circuits are needed to achieve high-speed, high-capacity information processing. An optical waveguide is an essential element in optical circuits. Electrospun polymer fibers have diameters in the nanometer range and high aspect ratios, so they are prime candidates for small waveguides. In this work, we fabricate uniform electrospun polymer nanofibers and characterize their optical waveguiding properties. Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) solutions of different concentration that contain a small amount of Nile Blue A perchlorate (NBA) are electrospun. Uniform PMMA/NBA nanofibers are obtained from the 10 wt% solution. The fibers are covered with transparent cladding and their ends cut vertically. A laser beam with a wavelength of 533 nm is irradiated onto the fiber from the direction vertical to the fiber axis so that it scans along the fiber. Photoluminescence (PL) at the end face of individual fibers is then measured. The PL intensity decreases with increasing distance (d) between the end face of a fiber and irradiating point of the laser beam as ~exp(-αd) with a loss coefficient (α). Measurements of five individual fibers reveal α is in the range of 17–75 cm^-1.

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Yuya Ishii, Ryohei Kaminose, and Mitsuo Fukuda "Waveguiding properties of individual electrospun polymer nanofibers", Proc. SPIE 8827, Optical Processes in Organic Materials and Nanostructures II, 882708 (10 September 2013); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2022813

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