Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for multiple beam laser deposition of thin films wherein separate laser beams are used to ablate material from separate targets for concurrent deposition on a common substrate. The targets may include, but not limited to polymers, organics, inorganics, nanocrystals, solutions, or mixtures of materials. A target may be disposed on a tiltable mount to adjust the direction of the ablation plumes. Multiple ablation modes may be concurrently employed at the various targets, including, but not limited to pulsed laser, MAPLE, IR-MAPLE and other modes. The system may include a camera and processor for plume axis determination and feedback control of the plume axis by controlling a tilt of a target holder. Maple target loading sequences and liquid states are described. Fluorescent image monitoring is described.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for multiple beam laser deposition of thin films wherein separate laser beams are used to ablate material from separate targets for concurrent deposition on a common substrate. The targets may include, but not limited to polymers, organics, inorganics, nanocrystals, solutions, or mixtures of materials. A target may be disposed on a tiltable mount to adjust the direction of the ablation plumes. Multiple ablation modes may be concurrently employed at the various targets, including, but not limited to pulsed laser, MAPLE, IR-MAPLE and other modes. The system may include a camera and processor for plume axis determination and feedback control of the plume axis by controlling a tilt of a target holder. Maple target loading sequences and liquid states are described. Fluorescent image monitoring is described.

Abstract: A method for open-air pulsed laser deposition by providing a target and a substrate, configuring a laser directed to the target, reducing the pressure in the zone between the target and substrate by providing a suction having an opening proximal to the target. Optionally, shielding the zone between the target and substrate from ambient oxygen by flowing an inert gas from outside the zone. The method may accommodate very large substrates and multiple targets and multiple laser beams. The target may be tilted or remotely tilted. Matrix assisted pulsed laser deposition may be utilized.

Abstract: Briefly, the present disclosure relates to a nanocomposite thermoelectric energy converter comprising a composite thin film inorganic semiconductor having carbonized polymer nano-clusters and the net of polymer nano-fibers included within. The carbonized polymer nano-clusters and nano-fibers improve the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT by increasing electrical conductivity and decreasing thermal conductivity. The converter may be fabricated by a dual beam pulsed laser deposition process. A first laser beam evaporates a target comprising the materials of the inorganic semiconductor. A second laser beam evaporates the polymer using a matrix assisted target for depositing the polymer concurrently with the semiconductor deposition to yield the composite film. The lasers may be separately controlled to determine the resulting composition. The converter may be deposited on rigid or flexible substrates for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for open-air pulsed laser deposition with a low pressure zone maintained between the targets and the substrate by pumping the ambient gas out with a vacuum pump. The zone between the targets and the substrate may be shielded from ambient oxygen with an inert gas flowing from outside. The films can be deposited on a large substrate, which may be freely translated with respect to the targets. The apparatus may accommodate multiple pulsed laser beams and multiple targets. The targets may be remotely tilted in order to provide optimal plume overlapping on the substrate. At least one target may be deposited using the matrix assisted pulsed laser evaporation process. The target may be made of a polymer solution frozen with circulating liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method for multiple beam laser deposition of thin films wherein separate laser beams are used to ablate material from separate targets for concurrent deposition on a common substrate. The targets may include, but not limited to polymers, organics, inorganics, nanocrystals, solutions, or mixtures of materials. A target may be disposed on a tiltable mount to adjust the direction of the ablation plumes. Multiple ablation modes may be concurrently employed at the various targets, including, but not limited to pulsed laser, MAPLE, IR-MAPLE and other modes. One laser may be tunable to an absorption wavelength of a component of the target. The tunable laser may be for example an optical parametric oscillator laser. The system may include a camera and processor for plume axis determination and feedback control of the plume axis by controlling a tilt of a target holder.

Abstract: Briefly, the present disclosure relates to a nanocomposite thermoelectric energy converter comprising a composite thin film inorganic semiconductor having carbonized polymer nano-clusters and the net of polymer nano-fibers included within. The carbonized polymer nano-clusters and nano-fibers improve the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT by increasing electrical conductivity and decreasing thermal conductivity. The converter may be fabricated by a dual beam pulsed laser deposition process. A first laser beam evaporates a target comprising the materials of the inorganic semiconductor. A second laser beam evaporates the polymer using a matrix assisted target for depositing the polymer concurrently with the semiconductor deposition to yield the composite film. The lasers may be separately controlled to determine the resulting composition. The converter may be deposited on rigid or flexible substrates for a wide range of applications.

Abstract: A system and method for multiple beam laser deposition of thin films wherein separate laser beams are used to ablate material from separate targets for concurrent deposition on a common substrate. The laser beams may have the same or different wavelengths, energies, or pulse rates. The targets may be similar or differing classes of materials including, but not limited to polymers, organics, inorganics, nanocrystals, solutions, or mixtures of materials. One or more targets may be disposed on a tiltable mount to adjust the direction and mixing of the ablation plumes from the multiple targets. The target surface may be scanned by moving the target in one or more axes. Multiple ablation modes may be concurrently employed at the various targets, including, but not limited to pulsed laser, MAPLE, IR-MAPLE and other modes. A polymer-nano-composite film example is disclosed.

Abstract: A chemical sensor based on an indicator dye wherein a light transmissive element containing the indicator dye is made of a hygroscopic polymer. The polymer may be, for example, a polyimide or PMMA or other polymer. In an alternative embodiment the light transmissive element is doped with metal nanocolloidal particles. One embodiment may include a reference photodiode and differential amplifier to compensate for the fluctuations of the intensity of the light source. The light source may be pulse modulated. The sensor may include calibration means comprising a reference sample of the chemical to be detected and a precision delivery means. A method of fabricating the polymer and metal nanocolloid is disclosed wherein the nanocolloid is produced by generating a pulsed laser plasma in a suspension of metal particles and an organic solvent and adding the resulting solvent colloid to a solution containing the polymer.

Abstract: A chemical sensor based on an indicator dye wherein a light transmissive element containing the indicator dye is made of a hygroscopic polymer. The polymer may be, for example, a polyimide or PMMA or other polymer. In an alternative embodiment the light transmissive element is doped with metal nanocolloidal particles. One embodiment may include a reference photodiode and differential amplifier to compensate for the fluctuations of the intensity of the light source. The light source may be pulse modulated. The sensor may include calibration means comprising a reference sample of the chemical to be detected and a precision delivery means. A method of fabricating the polymer and metal nanocolloid is disclosed wherein the nanocolloid is produced by generating a pulsed laser plasma in a suspension of metal particles and an organic solvent and adding the resulting solvent colloid to a solution containing the polymer.