Abstract: Metallic nanorods are welded together in a controllable fashion. A suspension of metallic nanorods coated with an anionic polymer is contracted with linking molecules each comprising a liquid crystal with at least two available carboxylic acid moieties. The nanoparticles to self-assemble into dimers. Irradiation of the dimers with femtosecond radiation forms a metallic junction between them and welds the dimers into fused dimers.

Abstract: Metallic nanorods are welded together in a controllable fashion. A suspension of metallic nanorods coated with an anionic polymer is contracted with linking molecules each comprising a liquid crystal with at least two available carboxylic acid moieties. The nanoparticles to self-assemble into dimers. Irradiation of the dimers with femtosecond radiation forms a metallic junction between them and welds the dimers into fused dimers.

Abstract: High concentrations of dye may be prepared in combination with thermoplastic polymers and used in optical polymers as monomeric and dimeric molecular solutions. The method of preparing high concentration levels allows the control over the aggregation of dye molecules that is required to maintain effective nonlinear operation. The present invention is applicable to many systems and is essential to the successful production of working optical limiting devices and other optically transparent polymeric devices, as well as other photonic applications, such as nonlinear optics.

Abstract: High concentrations of dye may be prepared in combination with thermoplastic polymers and used in optical polymers as monomeric and dimeric molecular solutions. The method of preparing high concentration levels allows the control over the aggregation of dye molecules that is required to maintain effective nonlinear operation. The present invention is applicable to many systems and is essential to the successful production of working optical limiting devices and other optically transparent polymeric devices, as well as other photonic applications, such as nonlinear optics.

Abstract: The present invention is phthalocyanine compounds with peripheral siloxane substitution, as well as methods for making these compounds and various uses thereof, having the basic structure: wherein —W—X—Y—Z are peripheral groups comprising individual W, X, Y, and Z subgroups; W is a linkage represented by the formula: —D—(R1)0.1—, where D?S or O; X is: —(CH2)n—, n=2 to 8; Y is a siloxane chain; Z is an aryl or alkyl terminal cap; M is two protons or a metal ion; and forms a transparent film of high optical quality with large nonlinear absorption and thermal refraction, free of scattering from solid or liquid crystalline domains making them highly suitable for use as the active component in thin films protective eye wear, and optical data storage applications.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: The present invention is phthalocyanine compounds with peripheral siloxane substitution, as well as methods for making these compounds and various uses thereof, having the basic structure: wherein —W—X—Y-Z are peripheral groups comprising individual W, X, Y, and Z subgroups; W is a linkage represented by the formula: -D-(R1)0,1—, where D=S or O; X is: —(CH2)n—, n=2 to 8; Y is a siloxane chain; Z is an aryl or alkyl terminal cap; M is two protons or a metal ion; and forms a transparent film of high optical quality with large nonlinear absorption and thermal refraction, free of scattering from solid or liquid crystalline domains making them highly suitable for use as the active component in thin films, protective eye wear, and optical data storage applications.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising: a. an organic, solar blind filter dye; and b. a UV-transparent, non-scattering and chemically stable substrate. The substrate may be a UV-transparent nanoporous silica glass solid having pores that are substantially filled with a UV-transparent solvent, which has been selected to dissolve said dye and also to match the refractive index of the nanoporous silica glass solid. Alternatively, the substrate may be a UV-transparent inorganic salt compressed to form a solid body. The invention also provides for methods of making these embodiments and an optical device comprising such an optical filter. The filter provides an efficient solar blind filter that is chemically and dimensionally stable.

Abstract: The invention provides an optical filter comprising:

Abstract: The present invention is phthalocyanine compounds with peripheral siloxane substitution, as well as methods for making these compounds and various uses thereof, having the basic structure: 1

Abstract: The present invention is phthalocyanine compounds with peripheral siloxane substitution, as well as methods for making these compounds and various uses thereof, having the basic structure: wherein —W—X—Y—Z are peripheral groups comprising individual W, X, Y, and Z subgroups; W is a linkage represented by the formula: —D—(R1)0,1—, where D=S or O; X is: —(CH2)n—, n=2 to 8; Y is a siloxane chain; Z is an aryl or alkyl terminal cap; M is two protons or a metal ion; and forms a transparent film of high optical quality with large nonlinear absorption and thermal refraction, free of scattering from solid or liquid crystalline domains making them highly suitable for use as the active component in thin films, protective eye wear, and optical data storage applications.

Abstract: An optical limiter structure which includes a limiter material preferably dissolved in a host. The limiter material is selected from substituted and unsubstituted phthalocyanines, naphthalocyanines, porphyrins, salts of these materials and mixtures thereof, whereas the host is selected from any material which can dissolve the limiter material to at least the extent of 0.1% by weight.