Abstract: A notched filter includes a multilayer having alternating first and second polymer layers, the first polymer layers each including an isotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n1x and n1y, and the second polymer layers each including an isotropic or anisotropic polymer thin film having in-plane refractive indices n2x and n2y, where a thickness of each successive first polymer layer decreases with increasing distance from a centerline of the multilayer, and a thickness of each successive second polymer layer increases with increasing distance from the centerline. Such a filter may be configured to reflect incident light having a desired polarization state within a predetermined and relatively narrow band.

Abstract: A method of forming a uniaxially oriented crystalline polymer article includes heating a segment of a crystallizable polymer article to a first temperature, applying a stress to the crystallizable polymer article in an amount effective to induce a positive strain within the segment of the crystallizable polymer article, and heating the segment of the crystallizable polymer article to a second temperature greater than the first temperature while continuing to apply the stress.

Abstract: A thermoplastic interposer formed of ordered polymer sheets that may be configured to act as an interconnect and as a thermal energy spreader. In examples, the thermoplastic interposer may include one or more extensions or wings to further dissipate heat. In examples, laser direct structuring (LDS) may be used to form or more through silicon vias (TSVs) or through-chip vias. In examples, the ordered polymer sheets may be extruded via a roll-to-roll process, stacked, and processed to form a laminate interposer structure that makes up the interposer. In examples, the thermoplastic interposer may be used in multi-layer structures interconnecting two or more board assemblies such as printed circuit boards (PCB)s.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first optically dimmable switch for providing a first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a first state and providing a second transmittance distinct from the first transmittance while the first optically dimmable switch is in a second state distinct from the first state. The optical device also includes a dynamic heat source thermally coupled with the first optically dimmable switch. The dynamic heat source is at a first temperature at a first time and is at a second temperature distinct from the first temperature at a second time mutually exclusive from the first time. The optical device may operate as an optical dimming device, which may be used in head-mounted display devices or as dimmable windows or shutters.

Abstract: An optical device includes a first set of one or more electrodes, a second set of one or more electrodes distinct and separate from the first set of one or more electrodes, and a solution containing transparent metal ions in a liquid or gel electrolyte. The solution is located between the first set of one or more electrodes and the second set of one or more electrodes. The optical device may operate as an optical dimming device, which may be used in head-mounted display devices or as dimmable windows or shutters.

Abstract: A system includes (a) an optical device having a GRIN LC lens, the GRIN LC lens including a liquid crystal layer, (b) a sensor configured to assess an attribute of the liquid crystal layer, (c) a heat source, and (d) a controller configured to mediate heat flow between the heat source and the liquid crystal layer based on a signal provided by the sensor.

Abstract: A polymer thin film includes polyethylene having a molecular weight of at least approximately 250,000 g/mol, and has an elastic modulus of at least approximately 25 GPa, a tensile strength of at least approximately 0.8 GPa, and a thermal conductivity of at least approximately 5 W/mK. Formation of the polymer thin film may include forming a polymer solution from a crystallizable polyethylene and a liquid solvent, forming a gel from the polymer solution, forming a polymer thin film from the gel by calendering or solid state extrusion, and stretching the polymer thin film.

Abstract: A polymer bilayer includes a layer of a porous fluoropolymer directly overlying a layer of polyethylene. The polyethylene layer may be porous or dense and may include an ultra-high molecular weight polymer. The polymer bilayer may be co-integrated with structures (e.g., wearable devices) exposed to high thermal loads (>0-1000 W/m2) and provide passive cooling thereof. For instance, passive cooling of AR/VR glasses under different solar loads may be achieved by a polymer bilayer that is both highly reflective across solar heating wavelengths and highly emissive in the long-wavelength infrared. The high reflectance decreases energy absorption across the solar spectrum while the high emissivity promotes radiative heat transfer to the surroundings.

Abstract: The disclosed apparatus may include an optical modulator including a first layer with at an organic layer and/or an organometallic layer; and a second layer with an extrinsic semiconductor layer and/or an electrode layer. Various other apparatuses and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A multilayer reflective polarizer includes a layer of a birefringent organic solid crystal, where the birefringent organic solid crystal has a refractive index of at least approximately 1.5 and a birefringence of at least approximately 0.1. The multilayer reflective polarizer may be configured to include alternating layers of a birefringent organic solid crystal material and a secondary material layer selected from an amorphous polymer, an inorganic amorphous compound, a liquid crystal, and an OSC material. The refractive index of the birefringent organic solid crystal layer(s) may be modified through the application of an applied voltage, current, or stress.

Abstract: A light-emitting device includes a light-emitting diode having an emissive surface, and a capping layer including an organic solid crystal overlying the emissive surface. The refractive index of the organic solid crystal may be tuned such as through the application of a voltage, current, or stress to improve the light extraction efficiency of the device.

Abstract: An optical element includes a substrate and a metasurface located over a surface of the substrate. The metasurface may include an organic solid crystal material. A related display includes a waveguide, and a light input coupling element disposed on a surface of the waveguide, where the light input coupling element includes an organic solid crystal metasurface.

Abstract: A polymer laminate includes a plurality of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene thin films, where each polyethylene thin film has an in-plane thermal conductivity of at least approximately 5 W/mK and an in-plane elastic modulus of at least approximately 20 GPa. The polymer laminate may be incorporated into an eyewear device and may be configured to disperse heat during operation thereof in a manner effective to improve the functionality and/or wearability of the device.

Abstract: An optical film includes a block copolymer film defining a plurality of helically shaped cavities and a plurality of helically shaped organic solid crystals positioned within the plurality of helically shaped cavities. A method of making the optical film includes obtaining a film of a block copolymer solution including a chiral block copolymer and a non-chiral block copolymer on a substrate. The method includes annealing the film, thereby forming a plurality of helical structures from the chiral block copolymer defined within the non-chiral block copolymer and removing the plurality of helical structures, thereby creating a plurality of helically shaped cavities. The method further includes forming organic solid crystals inside the plurality of helically shaped cavities, thereby forming the optical film.

Abstract: A device is provided. The device includes a first liquid crystal (“LC”) cell configured to modulate an amplitude of a light beam. The device also includes a second LC cell stacked with the first LC cell and configured to modulate a phase of the light beam. The device includes a sandwiched electrode layer disposed between the first LC cell and the second LC cell. The sandwiched electrode layer includes a conductive polymer film configured to function as a common electrode layer for driving at least one of the first LC cell or the second LC cell.

Abstract: Mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer fibers may be formed by spinning a polymer solution or gel that includes a high molecular weight crystallizable polymer and a liquid solvent. The solvent may be configured to interact with the polymer to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the spun fibers. The polymer solution may also include a low molecular weight additive. The high and low molecular weight polymers may each be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive is less than the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. The polymer(s) and the additive(s) may be independently selected from vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropene, vinyl fluoride, etc. The spun fibers may be oriented, annealed, poled, and woven or laminated to form a polymer thin film having a high elastic modulus and a high electromechanical coupling factor.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic polymer thin film includes a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer (e.g., via ?-? interactions) to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 50% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example crystallizable polymers include polyethylene naphthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, as well as derivatives thereof. Example additives, which may occupy up to approximately 10 wt. % of the polymer thin film, include aromatic ester oligomers, aromatic amide oligomers, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, for example. The optically anisotropic polymer thin film may be characterized by a refractive index greater than approximately 1.

Abstract: An optical modulator includes an active layer of an organic solid crystalline phase, a primary electrode disposed over a first portion of the active layer, and a secondary electrode disposed over a second portion of the active layer, where an optical property of the active layer is configured to have a first value along a chosen direction in a first biased state and a second value along the chosen direction in a second biased state.

Abstract: A photonic integrated circuit (PIC) includes an organic solid crystal (OSC) material layer, the OSC material layer having a substrate portion and a raised optical element integral with and extending from the substrate portion. The raised optical element may include a passive or active component of the photonic integrated circuit.

Abstract: A birefringent organic thin film includes mutually orthogonal in-plane refractive indices (nx and ny) and a through thickness refractive index (nz), where nx>1.4, ny?1.4, nz>1.4, Dnxy?0.1, Dnxz<0.01, and Dnyz<0.01. Optical properties including refractive index and birefringence may be continuously tuned by applying a voltage across the birefringent organic thin film.