Polymer Characterization

As discussed in section 10.1007/978-3-658-35926-3_2, the characterization of cross-linking and especially its spatial distribution is crucial for the fabrication of micro optics, MEMS, and semiconductors. Some studies have found that the measurement of the refractive index over the cross-linking process can be used as an indicator for the degree of cross-linking of a sample. According to Kudo et al., [130], the cross-linking of a polymeric material leads to a densification which can be directly related to an increase in refractive index using the Lorentz-Lorenz equation.