Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program: Optical limiters, fuses, and diodes for protection from high intensity light sources
Abstract
Office of Naval Research Young Investigator Program: Optical limiters, fuses, and diodes for protection from high intensity light. As various laser technologies mature and develop, more ultra-bright sources can be found both in military and civilian settings over a wide spectrum of wavelengths. Simultaneously, optical imaging and detection devices are becoming more sensitive, and thus more susceptible to damage from both intentional and accidental laser irradiation. The aim of this proposal is to develop a new class of optical devices that can protect sensitive equipment against bright light sources, especially in the near- and mid-infrared spectral ranges. We will develop several classes of devices including optical limiters, optical fuses, and optical power diodes. Optical limiters are nonlinear optical devices, which are transparent at low incident intensities and opaque at high intensities (i.e. saturable transmitters). Optical fuses are irreversible optical limiters that, in analogy to electrical fuses, prevent overpower by permanently becoming opaque, and can serve as a last line of defense when a conventional optical limiter is insufficient. Optical power diodes are optical limiters that can be triggered by light incident from one side of the device, but not from the other, resulting in an asymmetric transmission profile. These devices will be passive (i.e. require no circuitry or external power, or monitoring), thus decreasing the turn-on time and minimizing the size, weight, and power requirements. A major point of emphasis will be to minimize the fraction of power absorbed by each limiter and fuse in the opaque state, thus increasing the damage threshold for the device. The technical approach builds upon recent advances in nano-optics, especially in the sub-field of plasmonics, as well as improved understanding of solid-state phase-change materials. The devices will feature combinations of concepts including frequency-selective surfaces, aperture optical antennas, electromagnetic field enhancement, self-limited plasmonic welding, thin-film optical resonators, and optically responsive materials such as vanadium dioxide and samarium nickelate. Impact on DoD capabilities: High power lasers and ultra-sensitive detectors have become ubiquitous in naval applications such as guidance systems, LIDAR, countermeasures, targeting, etc. Devices such as optical limiters, fuses, and diodes are crucial to prevent damage to detector systems from intentional and unintentional laser irradiation. Principal investigator: Mikhail Kats, University of Wisconsin – Madison Proposal title: Optical limiters, fuses, and diodes for protection from high intensity light sources Total funds requested: 509,529.00
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 23, 2016
- Source ID
- N000141612556
Entities
People
- Mikhail A Kats
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Wisconsin System