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 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 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 invention relates to rare-earth-doped ternary sulfides. The rare-earth-doped ternary sulfides may be used as an active material for mid-wave infrared and long-wave infrared lasers and amplifiers. Methods for producing laser materials including rare-earth-doped ternary sulfides, as well as lasers and amplifiers incorporating the laser materials, are also provided.

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 electrically conductive film suited to use as a transparent anode, a method of forming the film, and an electronic device comprising the film are disclosed. The device includes a conductive polymer electrode defining first and second surfaces and having an electrical conductivity gradient between the first and second surfaces. A second electrode is spaced from the second surface by at least one organic material layer, such as a light emitting layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for synthesizing a new class of inorganic-organic polymeric materials. These polymers are made with a backbone comprising chalcogenide elements such as sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium along with organic crosslinking moieties that determine its physical and optical properties. Also disclosed are the related polymeric materials. These polymers are suitable for optical applications in short wave infrared (SWIR, 1-3 ?m) and mid wave infrared (MWIR, 3-8 ?m) regions.

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: Methods for synthesizing fibers having nanoparticles therein are provided, as well as preforms and fibers incorporating nanoparticles. The nanoparticles may include one or more rare earth ions selected based on fluorescence at eye-safer wavelengths, surrounded by a low-phonon energy host. Nanoparticles that are not doped with rare earth ions may also be included as a co-dopant to help increase solubility of nanoparticles doped with rare earth ions in the silica matrix. The nanoparticles may be incorporated into a preform, which is then drawn to form fiber. The fibers may beneficially be incorporated into lasers and amplifiers that operate at eye safer wavelengths. Lasers and amplifiers incorporating the fibers may also beneficially exhibit reduced Stimulated Brillouin Scattering.

Abstract: A method of preparing a fine powder of calcium lanthanoid sulfide is disclosed. The method includes spraying soluble calcium and lanthanoid salts into at least one precipitating solution to form a precipitate comprising insoluble calcium and lanthanoid salts, optionally, oxidizing the precipitate comprising insoluble calcium and lanthanoid salts, and sulfurizing the optionally oxidized precipitate to form a fine powder of calcium lanthanoid sulfide. An alternative method for forming the powder is by flame pyrolysis. The calcium lanthanoid sulfide powder produced by either method can have an impurity concentration of less than 100 ppm, a carbon concentration of less than 200 ppm, a BET surface area of at least 50 m2/g, and an average particle size of less than 100 nm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making a high strength, small grain size ceramic having a trans-granular fracture mode by rapid densification of a green body and subsequent cooling of the densified ceramic. The ceramic may include dislocations, defects, dopants, and/or secondary phases that are formed as a result of the process and resulting in stress fields capable of redirecting or arresting cracks within the material. This ceramic can maintain transparency from ultraviolet to mid-wave infrared.

Abstract: A p-type transparent conductive material can comprise a thin film of BCSF on a substrate where the film has a conductivity of at least 1 S/cm. The substrate may be a plastic substrate, such as a polyethersulfone, polyethylene terephthalate, polyimide, or some other suitable plastic or polymeric substrate.

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 composition of matter and method of forming copper indium gallium sulfide (CIGS), copper indium gallium selenide (CIGSe), or copper indium gallium telluride thin film via conversion of layer-by-layer (LbL) assembled Cu—In—Ga oxide (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 (PDA) or polystyrenesulfonate (PSS) and then in the CIGO-PAH dispersion to fabricate films as thick as 1-2 microns. After LbL deposition, films are oxidized to remove polymer and sulfurized, selenized, or tellurinized to convert CIGO to CIGS, CIGSe, or copper indium gallium telluride.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for synthesizing a new class of inorganic-organic polymeric materials. These polymers are made with a backbone comprising chalcogenide elements such as sulfur, selenium, and/or tellurium along with organic crosslinking moieties that determine its physical and optical properties. Also disclosed are the related polymeric materials. These polymers are suitable for optical applications in short wave infrared (SWIR, 1-3 ?m) and mid wave infrared (MWIR, 3-8 ?m) regions.