The Development of Novel Optical Materials Using Sulfur-Based Chemistry

Darryl Boyd, US Naval Research Laboratory

Abstract:This presentation highlights research on photopolymers with unique optical and mechanical properties synthesized via the sulfur-based thiol click chemistry and inverse vulcanization reaction families. Due to their high chalcogenide concentration, these polymers exhibit several optically desirable properties including high refractive index (n > 1.8) and broad optical transmission into the MWIR region of light (3 – 8 µm). These research projects highlight the value of sulfur-based reactions in the development of unique and useful optical materials.