USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte

Lynda E Busse

Jasbinder Singh Sanghera

Ishwar Dayal Aggarwal

Leslie Brandon Shaw

Jesse A Frantz

Catalin M Florea

L Brandon Shaw

Frederic Hau Kung

Jason D Myers

Rafael R Gattass

Menelaos K Poutous

Steven R Bowman

Kenneth J Ewing

Barry B Harbison

Daniel L Rhonehouse

Brandon L Shaw

Jason Auxier

Rajesh Thapa

John A Moon

An antireflection optical element formed from an optical material. The optical material includes a first plurality of antireflective surface structures in the form of first protuberances from the optical material. The first plurality of antireflective surface structures are constructed to aid in transmission of a first wavelength range through the optical material. Also included are a second plurality of antireflective surface structures in the form second protuberances from the first plurality of antireflective surface structures. The second plurality of antireflective surface structures are constructed to aid in transmission a second wavelength range through the optical material. The first wavelength range comprises longer wavelengths than the second wavelength range.

Wideband antireflective surface structures for optics and methods of manufacturing the same

Fiber optic amplification includes a photonic crystal fiber coupled to a pump laser through a first coupler. The pump laser emits a first electromagnetic radiation wave into the photonic crystal fiber at a first oscillation frequency and a second electromagnetic radiation wave into the photonic crystal fiber at a second oscillation frequency equaling the first oscillation frequency. The first and second electromagnetic radiation waves interact to generate a signal comprising an electromagnetic radiation wave at a third oscillation frequency and an idler comprising a fourth electromagnetic radiation wave at a fourth oscillation frequency to be generated and amplified through parametric amplification. Parametric amplification is achieved by four wave mixing. The photonic crystal fiber emits a parametric output signal based on the four wave mixing. A nonlinear crystal frequency doubles the parametric output signal through second-harmonic generation.

Multi-wavelength sources based on parametric amplification

The invention relates to methods for fabricating antireflective surface structures (ARSS) on an optical element using a seed layer of material deposited on the surface of the optical element. The seed layer is removed during or after the etching, and serves to control etching time as well as the transmission region of the optical element having ARSS. Optical elements having ARSS on at least one surface are also provided.

Seed layer for fabrication of antireflective surface structures on optical elements

The invention relates to methods for fabricating antireflective surface structures (ARSS) on an optical element using a three-dimensional film layer applied to the surface of the optical element. The methods beneficially permit materials that do not exhibit local variation in physical and chemical properties to be provided with ARSS. Optical elements having ARSS on at least one surface are also provided.

Anti-reflective surface structures formed using three-dimensional etch mask

A method for creating a random anti-reflective surface structure on an optical fiber including a holder configured to hold the optical fiber comprising a groove and a fiber connector, an adhesive material to hold the optical fiber in the holder and fill any gap between the optical fiber and the holder, a glass to cover the adhesive material and the optical fiber, and a reactive ion etch device. The reactive ion etch device comprises a plasma and is configured to expose an end face of the optical fiber to the plasma. The plasma is configured to etch a random anti-reflective surface structure on the end face of the optical fiber.

Antireflective surface structures for active and passive optical fiber

A system and method for creating a random anti-reflective surface structure on an optical fiber including a holder configured to hold the optical fiber comprising a groove and a fiber connector, an adhesive material to hold the optical fiber in the holder and fill any gap between the optical fiber and the holder, a glass to cover the adhesive material and the optical fiber, and a reactive ion etch device. The reactive ion etch device comprises a plasma and is configured to expose an end face of the optical fiber to the plasma. The plasma is configured to etch a random anti-reflective surface structure on the end face of the optical fiber.

A composite and a coating having engineered reflective properties are described. The composite comprises a matrix and flakes of a multilayer polymer film including one or more bilayers including at least a layer of a first polymer and a layer of a second polymer having a different refractive index than the first polymer. The coating described includes the composite as applied to a surface and has a reflectance of at least 10% for a selected wavelength range and a transmittance of at least 50% at wavelengths outside of the selected wavelength range. Also described are methods for forming the composite and the coating.

Composites and coatings containing multilayer polymer flakes for engineered reflective properties

The present invention provides an optical detector device, including: a metal absorber layer; and a dielectric cover layer coupled to the metal absorber layer, wherein the dielectric cover layer includes one or more antireflective structured surfaces. The optical detector device further includes one or more of a passive substrate layer and an active thermoelectric element layer coupled to the metal absorber layer opposite the dielectric cover layer. The one or more antireflective structured surfaces each utilize a random pattern.

Optical detector based on an antireflective structured dielectric surface and a metal absorber

An optical system having two or more different optical elements with a corresponding interface between the optical elements. At least one of the optical elements has an anti-reflective structure that is transferred to the interface between two optical elements, typically by embossing. Also disclosed is the related method for making the optical system.

Tailored interfaces between optical materials

A system and method for creating an anti-reflective surface structure on an optical device includes a shim including a textured pattern, wherein the shim is configured to stamp the optical device with the textured pattern, a connector configured to place the optical device in proximity to the shim and apply a force to the optical device against the shim, and a laser source configured to heat the optical device by generating and applying a laser beam to the optical device when the optical device is placed in proximity to the shim.

A fiber-end surface structuring chamber or system having a main body with multiple ports including a fiber-holder port, a process port that is either a stamp/shim holder port or a plasma etching enabler port, an evacuation port, a gas delivery port, and one or more observation ports, where the fiber-end surface structuring system forms structures directly into the end of the fiber to enhance transmission of light over a wide range of wavelengths and increase the laser damage threshold.

System and method for direct fiber-end surface structuring

An N port fiber optical switch includes a movable housing having a perimeter and N corners; a plurality N of optical fibers positioned within the housing and inside the perimeter; and a plurality N of actuators, wherein each actuator is positioned on a corresponding corner such that when selectively activated one or more of the actuators urges the movable housing and the plurality of optical fibers to a selected switch position. The switch provides short switching times and high power handling while allowing for a large number of ports and provides the capability of interfacing with and switching between a variable number of ports.

N port fiber optical switch

An infrared laser source system that combines laser emitters through an optical waveguide. Each emitter is coupled to a port of the optical waveguide and the waveguided signal is combined to provide a spatially combined laser source with a single common exit aperture. The materials used for waveguiding allow the propagation of wavelengths in the infrared. The system can be used for combining multiple laser emitters to increase the total output power and/or for combination of multiple emitters with different wavelength for increased spectral coverage out of the laser system.

Wavelength and power scalable waveguiding-based infrared laser system

This invention pertains to fiber termination combination which includes an optical fiber having a fiber core for transmitting a highly energetic optical signal that can damage the fiber and a structured region around the core for directing the optical signal into the core, the structured region being characterized by multiple channels of smaller internal diameter than the core defined by thin walls disposed around said core; a ferrule, with an opening therein for locating said fiber, at the end of said fiber enveloping said fiber extremity which cooperates with said blocking structure to block the optical signal from impinging on said microstructured region of said fiber; and a blocking structure disposed over the end of said fiber with an opening mating with said fiber core, said blocking structure blocking the optical signal from impinging on said microstructured region of said fiber.

Optical fiber clad-protective terminations

This invention pertains to a jam head and to a protection system. The jam head is rotatable around at least two separate axes and includes a first part rotatable around a first axis and a second part rotatably connected to the first part and rotatable around a second axis; a viewing port in the first part for viewing an object; at least one reflecting surface for conveying an image through the port; a camera optically connected via the at least one reflecting surface to the port; and a unitary infrared transmitting glass fiber of constant core diameter passing from the laser to and through the first and the second parts for conveying an energetic infrared optical signal and an exit port through which the optical signal passes. The protection system is mounted on a movable platform and includes a detector for locating a threat; an electronic and control system connected to the detector for receiving a signal from the detector; a laser connected to the electronic and control system; and the jam head.

Growing community of inventors

Alexandria, VA, United States of America

Lynda E Busse