Abstract: The present invention relates generally to high sulfur content polymeric materials and composites, methods for making them, and devices using them such as electrochemical cells and optical elements. In one aspect, a polymeric composition comprising a copolymer of sulfur, at a level in the range of at least about 50 wt % of the copolymer, and one or more monomers each selected from the group consisting of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, epoxide monomers, and thiirane monomers, at a level in the range of about 0.1 wt % to about 50 wt % of the copolymer.

Abstract: Mid-IR supercontinuum laser source in the 3-12 micron region generating at least tens of watts of optical power and based on non-silica optical fiber pumped by a ZBLAN fiber laser generating light at about 2.7 microns. The zero-dispersion wavelength of the non-silica fiber substantially coincides with the lasing wavelength. The proportion of the SC output above 3 microns exceeds 40 percent of the overall power output.

Abstract: A method of purifying a nanodiamond powder includes preparing the nanodiamond powder, heating the nanodiamond powder at between 450° C. and 470° C. in an atmosphere including oxygen, performing a hydrochloric acid treatment on the heated nanodiamond powder, and performing a hydrofluoric acid treatment on the nanodiamond powder obtained after performing the hydrochloric acid treatment.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for fabricating polymer nanostructures and nanostructured electrodes are disclosed. Material layers are deposited onto polymer nanostructures to form nanostructured electrodes and devices including the nanostructured electrodes, such as photovoltaic cells, light-emitting diodes, and field-effect transistors. Embodiments of the disclosed methods are suitable for commercial-scale production of large-area nanostructured polymer scaffolds and large-area nanostructured electrodes.

Abstract: Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect.

Abstract: Composites, designed “MNPC” materials, are formed by methods of which an exemplary method includes preparing a liquid suspension of magnetic nanoparticles in a carrier liquid in which the nanoparticles are not soluble. The carrier liquid can form a rigid polymer matrix for the nanoparticles whenever the carrier liquid is exposed to a rigidification condition. A first rigidification condition is applied to the suspension to rigidify the carrier liquid into the polymer matrix and thus form a rigid MNPC material. A fluidizing condition is applied to the rigid MNPC material to fluidize the matrix and allow movement of the nanoparticles in the matrix. While the matrix is fluid, the MNPC material is magnetically poled by exposure to an external magnetic field. Poling aligns at least some of the nanoparticles with the field and allows at least some particles to self-assemble with each other.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for synthesizing nanocomposite materials including ferromagnetic nanoparticles with polymer shells formed by controlled surface polymerization. The polymer shells prevent the nanoparticles from forming agglomerates and preserve the size dispersion of the nanoparticles. The nanocomposite particles can be further networked in suitable polymer hosts to tune mechanical, optical, and thermal properties of the final composite polymer system. An exemplary method includes forming a polymer shell on a nanoparticle surface by adding molecules of at least one monomer and optionally of at least one tethering agent to the nanoparticles, and then exposing to electromagnetic radiation at a wavelength selected to induce bonding between the nanoparticle and the molecules, to form a polymer shell bonded to the particle and optionally to a polymer host matrix. The nanocomposite materials can be used in various magneto-optic applications.

Abstract: Provided is a tunable radiation emitting structure comprising: a nanoamorphous carbon structure having a plurality of relief features provided in a periodic spatial configuration, wherein the relief features are separated from each other by adjacent recessed features, and wherein the nanoamorphous carbon comprises a total of from 0 to 60 atomic percent of one or more dopants of the dopant group consisting of: transition metals, lanthanoids, electro-conductive carbides, silicides and nitrides. In one embodiment, a dopant is selected from the group consisting of: Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, La and other lanthanides, Hf, Ta, W, Rh, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg. In one embodiment, a dopant is selected from the group consisting of: electro-conductive carbides (like Mo2C), silicides (like MoSi2) and nitrides (like TiN).

Abstract: An updateable system and method of recording a hologram on a media simultaneously reduces the writing time and increases persistence without sacrificing diffraction efficiency. A voltage kick-off technique controls the bias electric field applied to a photorefractive polymer media in conjunction with the application of the writing beams and dark decay. Essentially the voltage kick-off technique applies a high electric field above the optimal field while the writing beams are on and reduces the electric field when the writing beams are off during dark decay. The voltage kick-off technique produced two separate unexpected results. First, when the writing beams are turned off and the electric field is lowered the diffraction efficiency continues to increase until it reaches a maximum efficiency that is within a few percent of that achieved by writing at the optimal field until steady-state is achieved.

Abstract: A hybrid strip-loaded EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor ? and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage V?, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction. The strip-loaded modulator comprises an EO polymer layer that eliminates optical scattering caused by sidewall roughness due to etching. Light does not encounter rough edges as it transitions to and from the sol-gel and EO polymer waveguides. This reduces insertion loss.

Abstract: Provided is a tunable radiation emitting structure comprising: a nanoamorphous carbon structure having a plurality of relief features provided in a periodic spatial configuration, wherein the relief features are separated from each other by adjacent recessed features, and wherein the nanoamorphous carbon comprises a total of from 0 to 60 atomic percent of one or more dopants of the dopant group consisting of: transition metals, lanthanoids, electro-conductive carbides, silicides and nitrides. In one embodiment, a dopant is selected from the group consisting of: Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Tc, Ru, Rh, Pd, Ag, Cd, La and other lanthanides, Hf, Ta, W, Rh, Os, Ir, Pt, Au, and Hg. In one embodiment, a dopant is selected from the group consisting of: electro-conductive carbides (like Mo2C), silicides (like MoSi2) and nitrides (like TiN).

Abstract: A tunable radiation emitting structure comprising a discontinuous conducting interface having periodic or quasi-periodic features, wherein the structure emits narrowband terahertz radiation when heated is disclosed.

Abstract: A hybrid EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor ? and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage V?, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction.

Abstract: A hybrid strip-loaded EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor ? and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage V?, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction. The strip-loaded modulator comprises an EO polymer layer that eliminates optical scattering caused by sidewall roughness due to etching. Light does not encounter rough edges as it transitions to and from the sol-gel and EO polymer waveguides. This reduces insertion loss.

Abstract: A hybrid EO polymer/sol-gel modulator in which the sol-gel core waveguide does not lie below the active EO polymer waveguide increases the higher electric field/optical field overlap factor ? and reduces inter-electrode separation d thereby lowering the modulator's half-wave drive voltage V?, reducing insertion loss and improving extinction.

Abstract: An updateable system and method of recording a hologram on a media simultaneously reduces the writing time and increases persistence without sacrificing diffraction efficiency. A voltage kick-off technique controls the bias electric field applied to a photorefractive polymer media in conjunction with the application of the writing beams and dark decay. Essentially the voltage kick-off technique applies a high electric field above the optimal field while the writing beams are on and reduces the electric field when the writing beams are off during dark decay. The voltage kick-off technique produced two separate unexpected results. First, when the writing beams are turned off and the electric field is lowered the diffraction efficiency continues to increase until it reaches a maximum efficiency that is within a few percent of that achieved by writing at the optimal field until steady-state is achieved.

Abstract: Poling electro-optic polymers on an organically modified sol-gel cladding layer can enhance Pockel's coefficient by up to a factor of 2.5.

Abstract: An optical device including: a first transparent substrate; a first electrode disposed on the first transparent substrate; a first mirror disposed on the first electrode; a high electro-optic coefficient polymer or sol-gel material disposed on the first mirror; a second mirror disposed on the high electro-optic coefficient polymer or sol-gel material and at least partially sandwiching the sol-gel material between the first and second mirrors; a second electrode disposed on the second mirror; and a second transparent substrate disposed on the second electrode.

Abstract: Poling electro-optic polymers on an organically modified sol-gel cladding layer can enhance Pockel's coefficient by up to a factor of 2.5.

Abstract: An optical waveguide is provided. The optical waveguide includes a polymer substrate and a lower cladding disposed on the substrate. The lower cladding is a first perhalogenated polymer. The optical waveguide also includes a core disposed on at least a portion of the lower cladding. A method of manufacturing the optical waveguide is also provided.