Low-refractive-index materials: A new class of optical thin-film materials

Abstract

The refractive index, a most fundamental quantity in optics and optoelectronics, determines many figures of merit of optical components such as reflectors, filters, and resonators. Here we present a new class of optical thin-film materials that have a very low refractive index. Specular films of high optical quality with refractive indices as low as 1.05 are demonstrated. Applications of the material in optoelectronics and solid-state lighting will also be discussed.