A
photopolymer is a
polymer that changes its properties when exposed to light, often in the
ultraviolet or
visible region of the
electromagnetic spectrum. These changes are often manifested structurally, for example hardening of the material occurs as a result of
cross-linking when exposed to light. An example is shown below depicting a mixture of
monomers,
oligomers, and
photoinitiators that conform into a hardened polymeric material through a process called
curing,. A wide variety of technologically useful applications rely on photopolymers, for example some
enamels and
varnishes depend on photopolymer formulation for proper hardening upon exposure to light. In some instances, an enamel can cure in a fraction of a second when exposed to light, as opposed to thermally cured enamels which can require half an hour or longer. Curable materials are widely used for medical, printing, and
photoresist technologies.
