Project Title:

Dynamic Tunable Diffractive Optical Elements

Foster-Miller, Inc.
350 Second Avenue
Waltham, MA 02154-1196

93-1      08.23     3200           Amount Requested $70,000

Dynamic Tunable Diffractive Optical Elements

Abstract:

Diffractive optics has emerged as a valuable new technology for 
solving design problems in imaging, optical beam control,
adaptive optics, and other important applications.  Light weight and
compact size diffractive elements offer particularly important benefits
for space environments.  Foster-Miller proposes to demonstrate in
Phase I of this program, a completely unique extension to diffractive 
optics technology: voltage controlled or tunable diffractive 
optical elements.  The element will be fabricated by laser
writing a diffractive pattern in a novel photopolymer currently being 
exploited by Foster-Miller in cooperation with Polaroid 
Corporation.  The unique pore structure of this film allows
liquid crystals to be incorporated into selected regions of the film. 
An applied voltage varies the effective refractive index of the
LC/DMP composite and directly controls the element diffraction
efficiency.  Multiple elements can be combined for beam steering, 
dynamic lens focusing, and many other potentially important 
applications for  tunable diffractive elements.  In Phase II a 
diffractive optic facility will be established employing a laser 
microlithography  system to fabricate and test novel diffractive 
elements.  

Phase III  commercialization follows directly from the service facility 
established in Phase II, consisting of a prototyping service for 
scientists and initial production and sale of diffractive
elements.

Diffractive optics and the tunable diffractive elements proposed
by  Foster-Miller have vast potential commercial applications in 
optical imaging, laser beam control and shaping, and optical 
interconnects for electronic processors, optical memories and 
optical processing.  The small size and weight are important for 
aircraft and consumer items such as cameras.  Compact tunable 
elements will be used in planar optics and for accessing 2D and
3D optical storage.  The growing nationwide high speed fiber 
communications network will increase demand for active connection
devices based on tunable elements.

Diffractive Binary Optics, Optical Switching, Tunable Lens, 
Photopolymer