Stretchable optical diffraction grating from poly(acrylic acid)/polyethylene oxide stereocomplex

Advances in optical materials, which were initially static elements, have enabled dynamically tunable optical diffraction gratings to be designed. One common tuning strategy relies on mechanical deformation of the grating pitch to modify the diffraction pattern. In the present work, we demonstrate an all-polymer tunable diffraction grating fabricated using a modified replica molding process. The poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer stereocomplex films exhibit optical transmittance at or above 80% from 500 nm to 1400 nm and stretchability over 800% strain with reversibility under 70% strain. The imprinted gratings are characterized at 633 nm and 1064 nm under a range of strain conditions. The measured tunability agrees with finite element method modeling. (C) 2021 Optical Society of America

Automated summary

This work presents an all-polymer tunable diffraction grating fabricated using a modified replica molding process, with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA)/polyethylene oxide (PEO) polymer stereocomplex films exhibiting high optical transmittance and stretchability. The imprinted gratings are characterized at different wavelengths under various strain conditions, and the measured tunability matches with finite element method modeling.