Abstract: This application relates generally to polymer materials comprising nanoscale ceramic particles for use as a coating in clad pump fiber lasers, including those that function at eye-safer wavelengths and the related method of making them. Fluorinated polymers that possess low refractive index, low optical loss, and high thermal stability are combined with fluorinated ceramic nanoparticles that possess low refractive index and high thermal conductivity to develop a polymer material.

Abstract: This application relates generally to an optical fiber for the delivery of infrared light where the polarization state of the light entering the fiber is preserved upon exiting the fiber and the related methods for making thereof. The optical fiber has a wavelength between about 0.9 ?m and 15 ?m, comprises at least one infrared-transmitting glass, and has a polarization-maintaining (PM) transverse cross-sectional structure. The infrared-transmitting, polarization-maintaining (IR-PM) optical fiber has a birefringence greater than 10?5 and has applications in dual-use technologies including laser power delivery, sensing and imaging.

Abstract: A liquid crystal-based non-mechanical beam steering device that permits steering in the mid-wave infrared and has a chalcogenide waveguide. The waveguide core, the subcladding, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass. The liquid crystal-based non-mechanical beam steering device has a tapered subcladding and a liquid crystal layer.

Abstract: A method for creating a random anti-reflective surface structure on an optical fiber including a holder configured to hold the optical fiber comprising a groove and a fiber connector, an adhesive material to hold the optical fiber in the holder and fill any gap between the optical fiber and the holder, a glass to cover the adhesive material and the optical fiber, and a reactive ion etch device. The reactive ion etch device comprises a plasma and is configured to expose an end face of the optical fiber to the plasma. The plasma is configured to etch a random anti-reflective surface structure on the end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: A system for transmitting power to a remote equipment, the system including a first laser source that generates a first laser beam; a first tracking device operatively connected to the first laser source, wherein the first tracking device controls a direction of the first laser beam; and a first photovoltaic device operatively connected to the remote equipment located remotely from the first laser source and the first tracking device, wherein the first photovoltaic device includes a semiconductor material that generates an electric current in response to absorbing the first laser beam, and wherein a first wavelength of the first laser beam is within an eye-safer range.

Abstract: A composition of matter having a coated silicon substrate with multiple alternating layers of polydopamine and polyallylamine bound copper-indium-gallium oxide (CIGO) nanoparticles on the substrate. A related composition of matter having polyallylamine bound to CIGO nanoparticles to form PAH-coated CIGO nanoparticles. A related CIGO thin film made via conversion of layer-by-layer assembled CIGO nanoparticles and polyelectrolytes. CIGO nanoparticles are created via a flame-spray pyrolysis method using metal nitrate precursors, subsequently coated with polyallylamine (PAH), and dispersed in aqueous solution. Multilayer films are assembled by alternately dipping a substrate into a solution of either polydopamine or polystyrenesulfonate and then in the CIGO-PAH dispersion to fabricate CIGO films as thick as 1-2 microns.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for making infrared transmitting graded index optical elements by selecting at least two different infrared-transmitting materials, each with a different refractive index, having similar thermo-viscous behavior; assembling the infrared-transmitting materials into a stack comprising one or more layers of each infrared-transmitting material resulting in the stack having a graded index profile; and forming the stack into a desired shape. Also disclosed is the related optical element made by this method.

Abstract: A method for making a chalcogenide glass waveguide in a liquid crystal-based non-mechanical beam steering device that permits steering in the mid-wave infrared. The waveguide core, the subcladding, or both comprise a chalcogenide glass. A mask is used to produce a tapered subcladding. Also disclosed is the related non-mechanical beam steering device that includes a chalcogenide waveguide.

Abstract: A transparent composite armor is made of tens to hundreds or even thousands of thin layers of material each with a thickness of 10-500 ?m. An appropriate amount of impedance mismatch between the layers causes some reflection at each interface but limit the amplitude of the resulting tensile wave below the tensile strength of the constituent materials. The result is an improvement in ballistic performance and that will result is a significant impact in reducing size, weight, and volume of the armor.

Abstract: A system and method for creating a random anti-reflective surface structure on an optical fiber including a holder configured to hold the optical fiber comprising a groove and a fiber connector, an adhesive material to hold the optical fiber in the holder and fill any gap between the optical fiber and the holder, a glass to cover the adhesive material and the optical fiber, and a reactive ion etch device. The reactive ion etch device comprises a plasma and is configured to expose an end face of the optical fiber to the plasma. The plasma is configured to etch a random anti-reflective surface structure on the end face of the optical fiber.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for splicing crystal fibers to silica glass fibers. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanically stable bonds with negligible optical transmission loss by splicing fibers through a thermally enhanced reaction bonding process at lower temperatures than the melting point of the crystal. In an embodiment, mixing of the materials at elevated temperatures forms a stable intermediary material which enhances strength and reduces the transmission losses.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a standard computer processor in operation receiving a plurality of stimulus-value signals. The apparatus includes a standard computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to carry out a method for identifying at least one chemical of interest. The method includes the following. A chromaticity chart including a plurality of chemical groupings is generated. The at least one chemical of interest is classified as belonging to a respective chemical grouping of the plurality of chemical groupings based on the chromaticity chart and the plurality of stimulus-value signals. Optionally, the chromaticity chart includes a molecular vibrational chart.

Abstract: Fiber optic amplification includes a photonic crystal fiber coupled to a pump laser through a first coupler. The pump laser emits a first electromagnetic radiation wave into the photonic crystal fiber at a first oscillation frequency and a second electromagnetic radiation wave into the photonic crystal fiber at a second oscillation frequency equaling the first oscillation frequency. The first and second electromagnetic radiation waves interact to generate a signal comprising an electromagnetic radiation wave at a third oscillation frequency and an idler comprising a fourth electromagnetic radiation wave at a fourth oscillation frequency to be generated and amplified through parametric amplification. Parametric amplification is achieved by four wave mixing. The photonic crystal fiber emits a parametric output signal based on the four wave mixing. A nonlinear crystal frequency doubles the parametric output signal through second-harmonic generation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of flash sintering a sample composed of ceramic particles by providing laser energy to change the electrical properties of the ceramic material. The processes and systems disclosed herein do not require large heating equipment like a furnace allowing for a portable system of repairing ceramic materials in the field.

Abstract: An optical fiber with multiple openings made from the steps comprising fabricating an extrusion die using at least one additive manufacturing technique such that the extrusion die has a first set of plurality of channels that combine inside the die into a second set of plurality of channels with a different set of shapes and sizes, extruding a glass through the extrusion die, forming a fiber optic preform having a plurality of longitudinal openings that run the entire length of the fiber optic preform, attaching a barrier layer to the fiber optic preform to form a series of channels to which pressure can be applied by a gas, wherein each channel has a pressure that is independently controlled, and stretching the fiber optic preform at an elevated temperature into an optical fiber with multiple openings.

Abstract: A method of purifying a spinel powder includes contacting a spinel powder with an acid solution to form an acid-washed spinel composition and contacting the acid-washed spinel composition with a basic solution to form a purified composition. The purified powder is suited to formation of low-absorption shaped bodies, such as windows for high intensity laser devices.

Abstract: A microstructured ZnO coating that improves the performance of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) photovoltaic (PV) devices via two mechanisms; it acts an antireflective layer with superior non-normal performance to thin film anti-reflective (AR) coatings, and it scatters a large fraction of incoming light at a large angle, resulting in absorption that is on average closer to the p-n junction.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for splicing crystal fibers to silica glass fibers. Embodiments of the present disclosure provide mechanically stable bonds with negligible optical transmission loss by splicing fibers through a thermally enhanced reaction bonding process at lower temperatures than the melting point of the crystal. In an embodiment, mixing of the materials at elevated temperatures forms a stable intermediary material which enhances strength and reduces the transmission losses.

Abstract: An optical system has a beam-steering device having a planar waveguide region between a tapered incoupler and a tapered outcoupler that respectively define opposing incoupler and outcoupler facets of the BS device. Each region has a substrate, a subcladding layer over the substrate, a core layer over the subcladding, and a top cladding layer over the core. Within the incoupler, at least one of the subcladding and the top cladding has a material having a refractive index that varies with an applied field (e.g., an electric field) applied at the incoupler. The optical system also has a field-applying device that applies the applied field at the incoupler, an output detector that generates a feedback signal based on detected outgoing light output from the outcoupler, and a controller that controls the field-applying device based on the feedback signal to alter the light output from the outcoupler.

Abstract: A method for forming a high purity, copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) sputtering target is disclosed. The method includes sealing precursor materials for forming the bulk material in a reaction vessel. The precursor materials include copper, at least one chalcogen selected from selenium, sulfur, and tellurium, and at least one element from group IIIA of the periodic table, which may be selected from gallium, indium, and aluminum. The sealed reaction vessel is heated to a temperature at which the precursor materials react to form the bulk material. The bulk material is cooled in the vessel to a temperature below the solidification temperature of the bulk material and opened to release the formed bulk material. A sputtering target formed by the method can have an oxygen content of 10 ppm by weight, or less.