Wavelength dependence of thermo-optic coefficient of organically modified SiO2–ZrO2 hybrid films.

Thermo-optic characteristics of organically modified SiO2–ZrO2 films prepared by a nonhydrolytic reaction have been investigated. The thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) is negative on the order of -10-4/K and varies with the wavelength as a function of the ZrO2 content in organically modified SiO2 material. As the amount of ZrO2 increases, the wavelength dependence of dn/dT gradually varies from positive to negative. The magnitude and wavelength dependence of dn/dT for organically modified SiO2–ZrO2 hybrid materials make these materials highly flexible for application in thermo-optic integrated devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]