Luminescent Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Promoted Self-Adaptive Smart Active Optical Waveguide with Ultra-Low Optical Loss

Abstract

Currently, optical waveguides show extensive application in photonics and optoelectronic devices due to their high information capacity and transmission capabilities. However, developing self-adaptive, smart optical waveguide materials with ultra-low optical loss remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, luminescent liquid crystalline elastomers (LLCEs) with remarkable flexibility and minimal optical loss through one-pot synthetic method is synthesized, marking the first example of such an approach. The resultant organic optical waveguide materials (OOWMs) demonstrate exceptional mechanical performance and low optical loss, even under significant deformation. An optical loss coefficient of 0.0375 dB mm⁻¹ has been achieved in LLCE-based OOWMs through synergistic Förster resonance energy transfer. Additionally, these flexible OOWMs can endure large deformations and be shaped into arbitrary forms within macro-scale dimensions. Notably, LLCE-based OOWMs demonstrate smart, self-adaptive behavior with ultra-low optical loss when exposed to heat or light. Consequently, these OOWMs can be used to fabricate photo switches of various shapes. This work provides a feasible approach to achieving integrated photonic systems with low optical loss for intelligent high-speed data transmission.