Investigation of humidity influence upon waveguide features of chitosan thin films

Optical properties of chitosan films of different ionic forms as well as their mutual correlation were investigated. By using spectral ellipsometry and mode spectroscopy methods it was discovered that these properties depend upon relative humidity of environment. It was shown that all specimens studied are characterized by the relative humidity thresholds at which their optical properties vary. The data obtained allow one to consider chitosan as a material with optical properties controlled by the humidity level change