Development of Optical Host Materials with High Laser Damage Thresholds

In Phase I, we synthesized a number of acrylic-based materials covering a wide range of chemical structures and material properties. These candidates were damage-tested in order to demonstrate laser-hardened formulations and understand the relationshipbetween polymer structure and laser damage threshold (LDT). During this effort, we successfully demonstrated a 3.5-fold increase in LDT over the initial PMMA material fabricated. Furthermore, we have identified a clear path to achieve significantadditional improvements in LDT. The Phase II work will continue the development of the candidates identified in Phase I, and extend the investigation to include two promising new candidates that are natural extensions of the present materials. Thesematerials will be optimized for both damage resistance and dye compatibility. Detailed structure-property relationships will be established in order to provide a detailed understanding of the observed improvements in LDT, and as a guide for producingstill better materials. Successful progress of the program will be validated through the testing of selected samples at AFRL/MLPJ. The development of a dye-compatible, laser-hardened host matrix is an enabling technology for practical agile-wavelengthoptical-limiter devices.