Polymer nanocomposite thin film mirror for the infrared region

A simple, scalable, and cost-effective process of producing infrared (IR) mirrors from polymer-nanoparticle-composite thin films is described. The better strain capabilities of these films make them suitable for plastic and flexible substrates and for systems that undergo thermal cycling. Spin-coating was used for manufacturing the ultrathin nanocomposite films, in order to control thickness by balancing the centrifugal forces and to obtain better repeatability. Pulse Xenon UV source lamp partially was then employed to cure the layer, to create a polymer nanoparticle composite. The reflective index of the films was calculated from the measured values of thickness and reflective spectrum using a spectrophotometer and a software spectra. The proposed method has a wide range application for other nanoparticles which would have better properties in the infrared spectrum.