Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) markets have been growing rapidly. To sustain that growth, materials that can push the boundaries on optical performance are necessary. Optical components, such as waveguides, microlenses, and antireflective coatings, are utilized in near eye display (NED) devices. High-performance high- and low-refractive-index (RI) materials that can be successfully integrated into such devices are needed. Enabling these materials for fabrication process compatibility as well as having good reliability, durability, and sustainability is key to the successful manufacture of these devices. Polymeric materials have the advantage of flexibility and ease of processing. Organic platforms containing no metal-based components have been developed with high refractive index (1.6 to 1.8) and high transmission (>99%). These materials can be patterned using lithography and plasma etch, and in some cases, they can also be made photoimageable. Pushing to higher-RI, spin-coat-friendly films containing metal or hybrid systems with refractive index greater than 1.8, and even up to 2.2, have been developed. Fluorine-free ultralow-refractive-index (<1.25) materials that can be applied through spin coating or other deposition processes are also presented. Low-temperature processing of these materials is a key advantage, allowing these materials to be cured at low temperatures and making them suitable for plastic substrates.
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