Abstract: The present disclosure provides for materials (e.g., films, mixtures, and colloidally suspended in solution) including two types of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) that exhibit harmonic surface plasmon resonances (SPR), where these are referred to as harmonically paired set of particles. The present disclosure provides for harmonically paired set of particles, where the particles are separated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles. The harmonically paired set of particles can be included in harmonically paired set of particle system or devices which can be a component in measurement systems or devices.

Abstract: Metallic and dielectric domains in phase change materials (PCM) provide spatially localized changes in the local dielectric environment, enabling launching, reflection, and transmission of hyperbolic polaritons (HPs) at the PCM domain boundaries, and tuning the wavelength of HPs propagating in hyperbolic materials over these domains, providing a methodology for realizing planar, sub-diffractive refractive optics. This approach offers reconfigurable control of in-plane HP propagation to provide design optical functionality because the phase change material can be manipulated by changing the local structure, for example, to manipulate polaritons in the adjacent hyperbolic material, thus tuning the wave propagation properties of the polaritons in the hyperbolic material.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a transmissive and all-dielectric optical component/limiter with great cutoff efficiency using Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) as the active component is disclosed. In some embodiments, Vanadium dioxide is used for an optical limiter due to the large contrast in optical constants upon undergoing the semiconductor to metal phase transition. When triggered optically, this transition occurs within 60 fs, making the device suitable for an ultrafast laser environment. In addition, the phase transition threshold is tunable by applying stress or doping; therefore, the device cutoff intensity can be adjusted to fulfill specific requirements.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for materials (e.g., films, mixtures, and colloidally suspended in solution) including two types of particles (e.g., nanoparticles) that exhibit harmonic surface plasmon resonances (SPR), where these are referred to as harmonically paired set of particles. The present disclosure provides for harmonically paired set of particles, where the particles are separated by a dielectric layer. The dielectric layer has a thickness such that direct electron transfer does not occur between the harmonically paired set of particles. The harmonically paired set of particles can be included in harmonically paired set of particle system or devices which can be a component in measurement systems or devices.

Abstract: According to some aspects, a transmissive and all-dielectric optical component/limiter with great cutoff efficiency using Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) as the active component is disclosed. In some embodiments, Vanadium dioxide is used for an optical limiter due to the large contrast in optical constants upon undergoing the semiconductor to metal phase transition. When triggered optically, this transition occurs within 60 fs, making the device suitable for an ultrafast laser environment. In addition, the phase transition threshold is tunable by applying stress or doping; therefore, the device cutoff intensity can be adjusted to fulfill specific requirements.

Abstract: Metallic and dielectric domains in phase change materials (PCM) provide spatially localized changes in the local dielectric environment, enabling launching, reflection, and transmission of hyperbolic polaritons (HPs) at the PCM domain boundaries, and tuning the wavelength of HPs propagating in hyperbolic materials over these domains, providing a methodology for realizing planar, sub-diffractive refractive optics. This approach offers reconfigurable control of in-plane HP propagation to provide design optical functionality because the phase change material can be manipulated by changing the local structure, for example, to manipulate polaritons in the adjacent hyperbolic material, thus tuning the wave propagation properties of the polaritons in the hyperbolic material.

Abstract: A polymeric light-emitting diode (PLED) and methods of making same. In one embodiment, the PLED comprises a substrate, a layer of a first conductive material formed on a surface of the substrate, a layer of a conductive polymeric material deposited on the layer of the first conductive material, a layer of a luminescent polymeric material deposited on the layer of the conductive polymeric material, and a layer of a second conductive material formed on the layer of the luminescent polymeric material, wherein at least one of the layer of the conductive polymeric material and the layer of the luminescent polymeric material is deposited by the laser vapor deposition (LVD).

Abstract: A method for transferring a material onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of directing a coherent light of a wavelength resonant with a vibrational mode of the material at the material to vaporize the material, depositing the vaporized material on the substrate in a form that is essentially same chemically as the material, and selectively heating the deposited material at one or more positions of the substrate to form a film thereon.

Abstract: A method for depositing particles onto a substrate. In one embodiment, the method providing a plurality of particles in a solvent or a matrix of solvents to form a solution; freezing the solution to form a target having a surface; irradiating the target with a light of a wavelength in the infrared region which is resonant with a vibrational mode of the target so as to vaporize the particles in the target without decomposing the particles; and depositing the vaporized particles onto the substrate at a deposition rate to form a film of particles thereon, where the substrate is positioned such that the substrate and the target define a distance therebetween.

Abstract: A system and method for desorption and ionization of analytes in an ablation medium. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of preparing a sample having analytes in a medium including at least one component, freezing the sample at a sufficiently low temperature so that at least part of the sample has a phase transition, and irradiating the frozen sample with short-pulse radiation to cause medium ablation and desorption and ionization of the analytes. The method further includes the steps of selecting a resonant vibrational mode of at least one component of the medium and selecting an energy source tuned to emit radiation substantially at the wavelength of the selected resonant vibrational mode. The medium is an electrophoresis medium having polyacrylamide. In one embodiment, the energy source is a laser, where the laser can be a free electron laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation. Alternatively, the laser can be a solid state laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus (100) for laser (101) ablative modification of surfaces (120). The apparatus (100) includes a controller adapted to determine the wavelength corresponding to a characteristic wavelength of the absorption band, as well as an intensity and a duration such that a light pulse with the determined wavelength, intensity, and duration is capable of heating the portion of the dielectric material (120) to approximately the critical temperature of the dielectric material on a time scale less than about the characteristic time scale for thermal diffusion in the dielectric material and thereby inducing a phase explosion in the dielectric material. The apparatus further includes a laser (101) capable of providing at least one light pulse with the determined wavelength, intensity and duration in response to a signal from the controller.

Abstract: A system and method for desorption and ionization of analytes in an ablation medium. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of preparing a sample having analytes in a medium including at least one component, freezing the sample at a sufficiently low temperature so that at least part of the sample has a phase transition, and irradiating the frozen sample with short-pulse radiation to cause medium ablation and desorption and ionization of the analytes. The method further includes the steps of selecting a resonant vibrational mode of at least one component of the medium and selecting an energy source tuned to emit radiation substantially at the wavelength of the selected resonant vibrational mode. The medium is an electrophoresis medium having polyacrylamide. In one embodiment, the energy source is a laser, where the laser can be a free electron laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation. Alternatively, the laser can be a solid state laser tunable to generate short-pulse radiation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a neutral beam of oxygen or other gas for use in testing of materials and for heavy particle etching is disclosed. A beam of positively ionized gas is accelerated and filtered to produce a beam having ions of a selected energy. The beam is decelerated to an energy of the level required and directed toward a photo emissive surface at a grazing incidence angle causing electrons to be contributed to the beam thereby neutralizing part of the ionized atoms and molecules of the beam. The beam is directed through electrostatic deflection plates which separate out remaining ionized particles producing a neutral beam.