Under bending optical assessment of flexible glass based multilayer structures fabricated on polymeric substrates

We present the results of the spectral transmittance and reflectance of a SiO2/TiO2 1D photonic crystal deposited by Radio Frequency sputtering on a flexible polymeric substrate, which shows a blue-shift in its transmittance stopband proportional to the incidence angle when bent. An adjustable sample holder was designed to regulate the bending and keep the sample in a bent condition. Different angles of incidence were also achieved through variable angle reflectance, where an increase in incidence angle led to the blue-shift and narrowing of the transmittance stopband. We addressed the sample's resistance against bending wear and tear by comparing the transmittance spectra acquired for the flat sample before and after the measurements made in bent configurations. An important stability has been observed. •Spectral transmittance and reflectance of a SiO2/TiO2 1D photonic crystal deposited by RF sputtering on a flexible polymer.•Blue-shift in the 1D photonic crystal's transmittance stopband proportional to the incidence angle when bent.•Addressed the sample's resistance against bending wear and tear, observing an important stability.