Novel Photorefractive Material ZnTe:V for Optical Processing

Brimrose Corporation of America

Baltimore, MD
 

A new photorefractive material, ZnTe, that is optical limiting with real time holographic properties in the wavelength range of 0.63 to 1.6 µm

• Successfully demonstrated electro-optic power limiting (EOPL) and dynamic holography for wavelength of 0.63 to 1.6 µm
• Improved crystal growth techniques for related materials

• As result of this SBIR received follow-on funding of almost $1M from DoD for applications of ZnTe: $830K Air Force Phase I and II SBIR; $99K ARPA Phase I SBIR; and $66K for Air Force “White Paper” contract
• Used ZnTe in a novel photo-emf signal processor. Received $830K Army Phase I and II SBIR contracts for this spin-off
• Applied self-restraint in commercialization of an optical limiter because of the sensitive nature of DoD applications

• A NASA sponsored research project with MetroLaser in Irvine, California used this material to demonstrate resonant holographic interferometric spectroscopy
• Air Force has expressed interest in continuing to fund further development of material for EOPL applications
• Company in England is interested in using this material for terahertz technology
• Received inquiries from France and Israel with regard to photorefractive and optical limiting materials

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