Abstract: A bonded optical assembly comprising infrared-transparent materials. The assembly comprises two or more infrared transparent optical elements and a polymer comprising at least one chalcogenide element and crosslinking moieties between the infrared-transparent optical elements. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both.

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: Systems and methods are provided for a mechanical actuator based on a fiber optic platform. A material that is configured to be activated by light is incorporated into an optical fiber that serves as both an actuator and a power delivery network. This platform is adaptable to different materials, types of motions, and length scales and allows for precise delivery of photons to the material.

Abstract: A method for bonding infrared transparent materials by placing a polymer comprising at least one chalcogenide element and crosslinking moieties between infrared-transparent optical elements and applying heat, pressure, or both. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both. Also disclosed is the related bonded assembly comprising infrared transparent optical elements.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a mechanical actuator based on a fiber optic platform. A material that is configured to be activated by light may be incorporated into an optical fiber that serves as both an actuator and a power delivery network. This platform is adaptable to different materials, types of motions, and length scales and allows for precise delivery of photons to the material.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) beam steerer includes a waveguide apparatus with a waveguide having a high-index core in contact with a variable-index liquid crystal (LC) cladding, wherein a voltage applied to the LC cladding is effective to steer a beam of light passing through the high-index core. Measuring the bulk birefringence and/or the capacitance characteristics of the LC can facilitate beam steering.

Abstract: A polymer comprising one or more chalcogenide elements and one or more crosslinking moieties. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both. Also disclosed is the related method for making a polymer comprising purifying a chalcogenide polymer powder comprising one or more chalcogenide elements, melting the purified chalcogenide polymer powder, adding one or more crosslinking moieties to the melted chalcogenide polymer, and curing the modified chalcogenide polymer at a temperature between 150 and 200° C.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for a mechanical actuator based on a fiber optic platform. A material that is configured to be activated by light may be incorporated into an optical fiber that serves as both an actuator and a power delivery network. This platform is adaptable to different materials, types of motions, and length scales and allows for precise delivery of photons to the material.

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: A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

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: 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 graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

Abstract: A liquid crystal (LC) beam steerer includes a waveguide apparatus with a waveguide having a high-index core in contact with a variable-index liquid crystal (LC) cladding, wherein a voltage applied to the LC cladding is effective to steer a beam of light passing through the high-index core. Measuring the bulk birefringence and/or the capacitance characteristics of the LC can facilitate beam steering.

Abstract: A graphene and liquid crystal device comprising a substrate, a layer of graphene on the substrate, and a layer of liquid crystal on the layer of graphene. A graphene and liquid crystal device wherein the layer of graphene is an alignment layer and an electrode for a liquid crystal device.

Abstract: A method for bonding infrared transparent materials by placing a polymer comprising at least one chalcogenide element and crosslinking moieties between infrared-transparent optical elements and applying heat, pressure, or both. The crosslinking moieties may be organic, inorganic, or both. Also disclosed is the related bonded assembly comprising infrared transparent optical elements.

Abstract: An optical system has a beam-steering device, a light source, and a controller that controls the light source to actively control wavelength of the incoming light to control the output angle of the outgoing light output from the BS device. The BS device may have incoupler, waveguide, and/or outcoupler electrodes, and the system may have corresponding controllable voltage supplies actively controlled by the controller to selectively modify electric fields applied to the BS device to control corresponding operating characteristics of the BS device (e.g., in-plane and/or out-of-plane output angles of the outgoing light and/or device incoupling angle). An alternative optical system has a BS device, a detector array that generates detector signals corresponding to outgoing light received from the BS device, and a controller that processes the detector signals to determine one or more wavelengths of the outgoing light.

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: Liquid crystal molecules are described with desirably reduced attenuation in portions of the long-wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum. The molecules include a linear hydrocarbon of varying length (CnH2n+1, where n, for example, is from 4-7), a deuterated phenyl core comprising 2 or 3 rings, and one terminal cyano group. These enable electro-optic such as light modulators, phased arrays, polarization gratings, refractive steerers, and the like, operable at LWIR.

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.