Optical characterisation of sol-gel optical composites

Sol-gel optical composites doped with optically active materials prepared by the post-doping method have been characterised in relation to their optical and structural properties. The dopants of interest have been found to be homogeneously distributed throughout the gel matrix. The in-situ impregnation of an index-matching polymer such as PMMA within the porous structure improves both the optical and mechanical properties of the composites significantly. The as-prepared materials have a non-porous feature and show a low optical loss.