Properties of polymeric materials for optical systems

Abstract

Properties of polymeric materials are essential for their application in optical design. Refractive indices of different optical polymers are presented in the temperature diapason 10-50 °C. Dispersion is evaluated by the Abbe number at the measuring temperature. Some additional optical parameters for application in fiber optics are given. Mechanical properties of plastics are important in optical design, too. Dynamic elastic moduli of studied polymers are determined on base of ultrasonic measurements. Optomechanical, thermo-optical and thermo-mechanical parameters are presented. Application of polymeric materials in laser optical systems is illustrated by the designed all-plastic mirror objective which may be used in a lidar equipment for atmospheric pollution monitoring. Geometrical aberrations are computed.