Zero-birefringence optical polymer by birefringent crystal and analysis of the compensation mechanism

We reported a method for compensating the birefringence of optical polymers by doping them with inorganic birefringent crystals. In this method, an inorganic birefringent material is chosen that has the opposite birefringence to the polymer and needle-like shape crystals which are oriented when the polymer chains are oriented. The birefringence of the polymer is thus compensated by the opposing birefringence of the crystal. Orientation behavior of the needle-like crystals and polymers was investigated. The orientation function of the needle-like crystal was increased with an increase in the aspect ratio of the needle-like crystal.