Dynamic monitoring of refractive index change through photoactive resins

Mohammed Hadis, Peter Tomlins, Adrian Shortall, William Palin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticle

29 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: The change in optical characteristics through the bulk of curing photopolymers is not fully understood. Photopolymerization processes are accompanied by photoinitiator absorption, density changes and volumetric shrinkage, which alter optical properties and affects curing efficiency through depth. METHODS: This investigation demonstrates the use of a novel low coherence interferometry technique for simultaneous measurement of optical (refractive index) and physical (shrinkage) properties throughout curing of photoactive monomers containing various concentrations of bisphenol-A-diglycidyl ether dimethacrylate and triethylene glycol dimethacrylate. RESULTS: Reliability of the interferometry technique was compared with an Abbé refractometer and showed a significant linear regression relationship (p0.99) for both uncured and cured resins. The extent and rate of refractive index change and magnitude of shrinkage strain was dependent upon monomer formulation. SIGNIFICANCE: The development of this interferometry technique provides a powerful non-invasive tool that will be useful for improving light transmission through photoactive resins and filled resin composites by precise control of optical properties through material bulk.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1106-1112
Number of pages7
JournalDental Materials
Volume26
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Nov 2010

Keywords

  • Photopolymerization
  • Shrinkage strain
  • Interferometry
  • Refractive index

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