Luminescent Liquid Crystalline Elastomer Promoted Self‐Adaptive Smart Active Optical Waveguide with Ultra‐Low Optical Loss

T Tian‐Tian Hao (Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry Xiangtan University Xiangtan Hunan 411105 P. R. China) Y Yan Guan (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering) A Akhila Joy (Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of North Texas Denton TX 76207 USA) J Jie Li W Wei Xia (State Key Laboratory of Quantum Functional Materials, School of Physical Science and Technology) Y Yi Chen Q Qi Lin (Department of Chemistry) X Xiao Li Z Zhi‐Wang Luo (CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao Beijing 100190 P. R. China) P Pengfei Duan (Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication) E Er‐Qiang Chen (Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing People's Republic of China) H He‐Lou Xie (Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry Xiangtan University Xiangtan Hunan 411105 P. R. China)

Abstract

Abstract Currently, optical waveguides show extensive application in photonics and optoelectronic devices due to their high information capacity and transmission capabilities. However, developing self‐adaptive, smart optical waveguide materials with ultra‐low optical loss remains a significant challenge. To address this issue, luminescent liquid crystalline elastomers (LLCEs) with remarkable flexibility and minimal optical loss through one‐pot synthetic method is synthesized, marking the first example of such an approach. The resultant organic optical waveguide materials (OOWMs) demonstrate exceptional mechanical performance and low optical loss, even under significant deformation. An optical loss coefficient of 0.0375 dB mm −1 has been achieved in LLCE‐based OOWMs through synergistic Förster resonance energy transfer. Additionally, these flexible OOWMs can endure large deformations and be shaped into arbitrary forms within macro‐scale dimensions. Notably, LLCE‐based OOWMs demonstrate smart, self‐adaptive behavior with ultra‐low optical loss when exposed to heat or light. Consequently, these OOWMs can be used to fabricate photo switches of various shapes. This work provides a feasible approach to achieving integrated photonic systems with low optical loss for intelligent high‐speed data transmission.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 37, Issue 29
Published July 01, 2025
ISSN 0935-9648
Publisher Unknown Publisher

Journal Info

Advanced Materials

Unknown Publisher

ISSN: 0935-9648 Physical Sciences

Authors (12)

T

Tian‐Tian Hao

Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry Xiangtan University Xiangtan Hunan 411105 P. R. China

Y

Yan Guan

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Science, State Key Laboratory of Rare Earth Materials Chemistry and Applications, College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering

A

Akhila Joy

Department of Materials Science and Engineering University of North Texas Denton TX 76207 USA

J

Jie Li

W

Wei Xia

State Key Laboratory of Quantum Functional Materials, School of Physical Science and Technology

Y

Yi Chen

Q

Qi Lin

Department of Chemistry

X

Xiao Li

Z

Zhi‐Wang Luo

CAS Key Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication National Center for Nanoscience and Technology (NCNST) No. 11 ZhongGuanCun BeiYiTiao Beijing 100190 P. R. China

P

Pengfei Duan

Laboratory of Nanosystem and Hierarchical Fabrication

E

Er‐Qiang Chen

Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering Peking University Beijing People's Republic of China

H

He‐Lou Xie

Key Laboratory of Environmentally Friendly Chemistry and Application of Ministry of Education and Key Laboratory of Advanced Functional Polymer Materials of Colleges Universities of Hunan Province and College of Chemistry Xiangtan University Xiangtan Hunan 411105 P. R. China