Three-dimensional Polymer-based Photonic Crystals for Laser Beam Steering

Incorporating the photonic crystal nanostructures provides an unprecedented opportunity to enhance the dispersion, anisotropy, and wavelength/angular sensitivity of photonic materials, which leads to novel approaches to beam steering devices with ultra-compact sizes, among numerous other possibilities. In this program, Omega Optics proposes to employ nano-imprint technology to fabricate three-dimensional polymeric photonic crystals where each 3D layer formation can be formed by a single nano-imprint step when compared with conventional approaches requiring 3 to 4 steps to achieve the same goals. The proposed method is especially suitable for polymeric materials with high throughput, improved yield, and ample design freedom. The imprint technology also results in smooth structural interfaces, which is critical for reducing optical loss. With passive polymer/air, passive polymer/EO polymer, and silicon/EO polymer combinations, three-dimensional polymeric photonic crystals will be realized employing an Omega-Optics-team-pre-designed 3D nano-photonic crystal structure suitable for 3D beam steering. Wavelength tuning and electro-optical tuning can be realized for coarse and fine tuning with scanning speed faster than 1 microsecond. The scanner will be carefully characterized with regard to structure, optical loss, responsivity, and speed. The potential of utilizing the fabricated polymeric photonic crystals in laser communications, ladar, infrared countermeasures, and other air-borne applications will be explored.