Refractive index modulation in new materials undergoing the photo-fries reaction

Materials undergoing the photo-Fries reaction are attracting materials in the optical field thanks to the modulation of the refractive index that can be induced by means of UV light exposure. In this thesis work four thienyl phenyl esters have been characterized in solution studying the photo-reaction with different analytical techniques, i.e UV-visible absorption spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. The next step was the reali-zation of thin films based on these molecules dispersed in a CAB (cellulose acetate butyrate) matrix. The photo-Fries reaction has been monitored also in the polymer matrix through the use of the same spectroscopic techniques, having the confirmation that the reaction was ef-ficient also in the solid state. Lastly, the modulation of the refractive index was evaluated for thin films of CAB doped with different concentrations of the photo-Fries molecules.