Fabrication of Transparent Polymer Optical Device Combined with Selective Visible-Light Transmission and Zero-Birefringence.

The formation of optical products using the traditional molten processing methods is a direct and extensive application of optical fields, and it suffers from intrinsic birefringence and optical distortion due to polymer orientation and residual stress. Here, a unique concept is proposed by assembling photonic crystal nanospheres without orientation in a rubbery state to realize transparent optical devices with zero-birefringence and high transparency. By developing fabrication techniques for transparent zero-birefringence optical devices, certain outstanding performances are realized, including no optical distortion and excellent mechanical properties. Simultaneously, by controlling the particle size of the photonic crystal, one has successfully obtained transparent optical devices with the visible light selective transmission are successfully obtained. The transparent zero-birefringence optical devices are promising candidates for potential applications for fine optical devices. The work opens up an exciting new fabrication route for zero-birefringence and highly transparent polymer devices that have been difficult to create using traditional methods.