Advanced Grayscale Lithography for multi-level phase optics and metamaterials
Abstract
Justification for DoD applications: Multi-level nanostructures in photonics and optics are useful for a large variety of DoD-related research and applications. A small subset of the research areas pursued at the University of Utah is highlighted here. Fast hyper-spectral imaging enabled by computational optics and multi-level phase diffractive-filter arrays can result in lightweight cameras for UAVs and persistent surveillance. Space-time optics is an emerging areathat can significantly impact high-power directed-energy systems via diffraction-free beams (for example). Multi-level phase plates are essential for these applications to enable high power and high efficiency. We are pursuing very sophisticated computer-generated holograms that can be interrogated with incoherent light sources from afar for hardware-software cryptography andsecurity applications. Flat optics enabled by broadband diffractive optics is a rapidly growing area of research that can enable very lightweight imaging systems for NightVision applications (for example). By extending the constituent features to subwavelength dimensions, we have engineered metasurfaces to efficiently manipulate the vector properties of light (eg. polarization) and enable generalized entropy engineering. We have also created an entirely new direction of research in nanophotonics in the form of computationally derived digital metamaterials that can operate in free-space or in integrated photonics to enable ultracompact, multi-functional devices for communications, processing and quantum computation. All these examples share the requirement for high-resolution, multi-level nanopatterning over large areas at high speeds forrapid prototyping.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Jun 13, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912458
Entities
People
- Rajesh Menon
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy
- University of Utah