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: An optical element includes a display device and an angular occlusion filter disposed over at least one surface of the display device. The angular occlusion filter may be configured to modulate one or more of transmission, reflection, and polarization of image or ambient light incident upon the display device.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic solid crystal (OSC) thin film includes forming a molecular feedstock of an organic solid crystal precursor and a molecular dopant, forming a layer of the molecular feedstock over a surface of a substrate, forming crystal nuclei from the organic solid crystal precursor within a nucleation region of the layer of molecular feedstock, and growing the crystal nuclei to form a doped organic solid crystal thin film.

Abstract: An optical film includes an organic solid crystal film formed of a contiguous organic solid crystal having a first dimension no less than 100 micrometer and a second dimension distinct from the first dimension no less than one centimeter. Methods for making the organic solid crystal film are also described.

Abstract: A method includes applying a stress to a polymer thin film to stretch the polymer thin film along a first in-plane direction, and subsequently applying a stress to the polymer thin film to stretch the polymer thin film along a second in-plane direction orthogonal to the first in-plane direction to form an ultra-high modulus polymer thin film. Calendaring or hot pressing of the ultra-high modulus polymer thin film may improve its optical and/or thermal properties.

Abstract: A system comprising (1) at least one optical element having a nonplanar surface, (2) at least one photonic integrated circuit disposed on the nonplanar surface of the optical element, the photonic integrated circuit comprising (A) an optical core that contains an optically anisotropic organic material and (B) a cladding disposed over the optical core. Various other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An optical film includes an organic solid crystal film formed of a contiguous organic solid crystal having a first dimension no less than 100 micrometer and a second dimension distinct from the first dimension no less than one centimeter. Methods for making the organic solid crystal film are also described.

Abstract: An elongated heat pipe or vapor chamber is described. In examples, the heat pipe may include a tubular body comprising a hollow glass tube or fiber. The heat pipe may further include a wick within the tubular body and a working fluid within the tubular body. The wick may be made of glass, polymer, metal, etc. The wick may be an elongated cylinder disposed within the tubular body and, some cases, may be bonded to an inner floor of the tubular body. In examples, the wick may have an outer diameter substantially equal to an inner diameter of the tubular body. In examples, the wick may have a substantially cross-shaped cross section or may have a helical shape.

Abstract: A polymer article includes an at least partially disentangled polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) family member composition and is characterized by an elastic modulus of at least 4 GPa and an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least 0.1 at room temperature. A method of manufacturing such a polymer article may include forming an at least partially disentangled polymer composition into a polymer thin film or fiber, applying a tensile stress to the polymer article in an amount effective to induce a stretch ratio of at least approximately 5 in the thin film or fiber, and applying an electric field across a thickness dimension of the polymer article. Annealing and poling steps may separately or simultaneously accompany and/or follow the act of stretching.

Abstract: An optically clear, high strength, high modulus, and high thermal conductivity polyethylene thin film may be formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the crystallizable polymer to facilitate crystallite alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polyethylene thin film. The polyethylene thin film may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example crystallizable polymers may include high molecular weight polyethylene, high density polyethylene, and ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. Example additives may include low molecular weight polyethylene and polyethylene oligomers. The polyethylene thin film may be characterized by a Young's modulus of at least approximately 10 GPa, a tensile strength of at least approximately 0.

Abstract: A method of forming an organic solid crystal (OSC) thin film includes forming a layer of a non-volatile medium material over a surface of a mold, forming a layer of a molecular feedstock over a surface of the non-volatile medium material, the molecular feedstock including an organic solid crystal precursor, forming crystal nuclei from the organic solid crystal precursor, and growing the crystal nuclei to form the organic solid crystal thin film. An organic solid crystal (OSC) thin film may include a biaxially-oriented organic solid crystal layer having mutually orthogonal refractive indices, n1?n2?n3.

Abstract: An organic thin film includes an organic crystalline phase, where the organic crystalline phase defines a surface having a surface roughness (Ra) of less than approximately 10 micrometers over an area of at least approximately 1 cm2. The organic thin film may be manufactured from an organic precursor and a non-volatile medium material that is configured to mediate the surface roughness of the organic crystalline phase during crystal nucleation and growth. The thin film may be formed using a suitably shaped mold, for example, and the non-volatile medium material may be disposed between a layer of the organic precursor and the mold during processing.

Abstract: A mechanically and piezoelectrically anisotropic polymer thin film is formed from a crystallizable polymer and an additive configured to interact with the polymer to facilitate chain alignment and, in some examples, create a higher crystalline content within the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film and its method of manufacture may be characterized by a bimodal molecular weight distribution where the molecular weight of the additive may be less than approximately 5% of the molecular weight of the crystallizable polymer. Example polymers may include vinylidene fluoride, trifluoroethylene, chlorotrifluoroethylene, hexafluoropropylene, and vinyl fluoride. Example additives may occupy up to approximately 60 wt. % of the polymer thin film. The polymer thin film may be characterized by a piezoelectric coefficient (d31) of at least approximately 5 pC/N or an electromechanical coupling factor (k31) of at least approximately 0.1.

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.