Tunable cavity modes and light-pulse propagation in diarylethene-based photo-switchable polymeric microcavities

TL;DR

This paper investigates tunable microcavity modes and light-pulse propagation in polymeric microcavities containing photochromic compounds, using transfer matrix simulations to explore their optical properties for potential display and light filtering applications.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of tunable cavity modes in photo-switchable polymeric microcavities, including the effects of different polymers and complex structures on light propagation.

Findings

Tunable cavity modes depend on polymer type and structure.

Random photonic structures influence light pulse propagation.

Photochromic layers enable dynamic optical control.

Abstract

Light responsive devices employing molecular photo-switches are interesting for displays and dynamic light filtering. In this work, polymeric microcavities embedding a layer of photochromic compound have been studied by means of the transfer matrix method. Different polymers, such as poly vinyl carbazole, poly styrene and cellulose acetate, have been used. A microcavity that includes random one-dimensional photonic structures sandwiching the photochromic layer has also been studied. Propagation of light pulses through the microcavities has been analysed.