TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY A Novel Method for Forming Waveplates from Common, Durable, Isotropic Optical Materials

Notice ID:

IL-13797

Department/Ind. Agency:

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

Sub-tier:

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF

Sub Command:

LLNS – DOE CONTRACTOR

Office:

LLNS – DOE CONTRACTOR

All Dates/Times are:

(utc-07:00) pacific standard time, los angeles, usa

Updated Published Date:

(utc-07:00) pacific standard time, los angeles, usa

Original Published Date:

2023-05-12 06:38:00

Original Response Date:

jun 11, 2023 07:00 am pdt

Inactive Policy:

15 days after response date

Original Set Aside:

Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its novel method for forming waveplates from common, durable, isotropic optical materials. Background: A waveplate or retarder is an optical device that alters the polarization state of a light wave travelling through it. Two common types of waveplates are the half-wave plate, which shifts the polarization direction of linearly polarized light, and the quarter-wave plate, which converts linearly polarized light into circularly polarized light and vice versa. Waveplates are constructed out of a birefringent material (such as quartz or mica, or even plastic), for which the index of refraction is different for light linearly polarized along one or the other of two certain perpendicular crystal axes. The behavior of a waveplate (that is, whether it is a half-wave plate, a quarter-wave plate, etc.) depends on the thickness of the crystal, the wavelength of light, and the variation of the index of refraction. Naturally birefringent materials used for waveplates have lower damage thresholds than other optical materials and have absorption limiting their usefulness in high power, short wavelength laser operations. Description: This novel method of producing waveplates from isotropic optical materials (e.g. fused silica) consists of forming a void-dash metasurface using the following process steps: Deposition of a thin metal layer (e.g. gold or platinum) and dewetting to form nano-particle mask. Directional etching (e.g., reactive ion etching (RIE), reactive ion beam etching (RIBE)) normal to the surface to transfer the mask nanoparticle pattern into the substrate material. Deposition of a second metal mask layer at an angle producing linear dash shaped mask-free regions in the shadow of the rods formed in the previous process step Directional etching (e.g., RIE, RIBE) normal to the surface to generate void-dash structures in the mask-free regions left exposed by the previous step. These process conditions can be tailored to achieve the desired optical properties. Advantages/Benefits: LLNL’s novel method for forming waveplates from common, durable, isotropic optical materials has numerous advantages over waveplates traditionally fabricated from naturally birefringent materials, such as: Better suited to higher average power laser applications. Not limited to the small aperture sizes only available with naturally birefringent materials. Ultra-thin, mechanically robust and environmentally stable waveplate optics. Can be used at shorter operating wavelengths, including ultraviolet. Potential Applications: Polarization manipulation of large aperture, intense, high power laser beams. Controlling the transmission of intense, high power laser beams without introducing absorption. Converting intense, high power, linearly-polarized laser beams to circular polarization for advantageous light-matter interaction. Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 2 (January 2023) LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note: THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's novel method for forming waveplates from common, durable, isotropic optical materials should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1. Company Name and address. 2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 3. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's novel method for forming waveplates from common, durable, isotropic optical materials. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention: IL-13797 TB565/23

7000 East Avenue

Livermore , CA 94551

USA

Primary Point of Contacts:

Dave Dawes

Secondary Point of Contact:

Charlotte Eng