Thermo-optic characteristics in transparent glass fabric reinforced composite using inorganic–organic hybrid materials

The thermo-optic characteristics of the transparent glass fabric composite and matrix resin have been investigated. The inorganic–organic hybrid materials modified with sulfur are synthesized as transparent matrix resin with the same refractive index and Abbe number as glass. The optical characteristics of the transparent composite relate to temperature due to the fact that the thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) for glass fiber (1.00 × 10⁻⁵K⁻¹) is different to that of inorganic–organic hybrid materials (−1.99 × 10⁻⁴K⁻¹). As the temperature increases, the transparent composite gradually becomes opaque and hazy due to the increased difference in the refractive index between the glass fiber and the matrix. The change in optical characteristics is reversible, meaning that the transparent composites can be used in for various applications in optical devices.