Layered Polymeric NLO Gradient Refractive Index Optics

ABSTRACT: PolymerPlus proposes to fabricate nonlinear optical (NLO) material by stacking NLO dye doped polycarbonate (PC) films to achieve aberration-free gradient index (GRIN). The current NLO GRIN optics fabrication proposal leverages advances, understanding, and facilities developed in these previous programs (DARPA and ONR) which will enable the rapid evaluation and development of NLO materials and protoypes requested in the AF141-163. In proposed efforts, NLO optic element is designed by Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) with a parabolic radial nonlinear index gradient with nonlinear optical susceptibility at the center>1000x that of silica. PolymerPlus will utilize its expertise in extrusion and GRIN fabrication process to produce the NLO element. To fabricate NLO GRIN lens, multiple films of PC with varying Lead(II) tetrakis(4-cumylphenoxy)phthalocyanine (PbPc) concentration, ranging from 0 to 10 wt%, will be produced by extrusion processing at PolymerPlus. PbPc blended PC films will be stacked to achieve PbPc concentration gradient as per NLO design. Film stack will be consolidated into a sheet and shaped into a curved surface ("preform") using metallic molds under heat and pressure. Final cylindrical solid state GRIN lens will be cut from the preform. NLO performance of the optic will be measured at PolymerPlus and NRL. BENEFIT: Proposed development in NLO GRIN optics will allow the designers additional freedom to achieve system integration in NLO optics. The successful demonstration of the NLO doped PC laminated film technology should lead to a flexible, process-ready (fast to prototype/production) technology for production of NLO GRIN optics. Due to its versatility in material selection, processing and fabrication; PolymerPlus"s technology will help creating optical elements for many applications such as waveguides, optical interconnects, tailor-made optical elements with 3D control over the optic design, management of thermal lensing and optimizing the focal volume. PolymerPlus is also uniquely positioned to take advantage of the in-house GRIN materials manufacturing and metrology capabilities, approaching an MRL type 4 readiness level.