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An Efficient Method for Fabricating Three-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Structures with Engineered Defects using High Index Polymer Materials.

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: FA8650-05-M-5418
Agency Tracking Number: F051-135-1543
Amount: $99,981.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: AF05-135
Solicitation Number: 2005.1
Timeline
Solicitation Year: 2005
Award Year: 2005
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): 2005-04-01
Award End Date (Contract End Date): 2006-04-01
Small Business Information
51 East Main Street, Suite 203
Newark, DE 19711
United States
DUNS: 071744143
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Ahmed Sharkawy
 Senior Engineer
 (302) 456-9003
 sharkawy@emphotonics.com
Business Contact
 Eric Kelmelis
Title: Vice President
Phone: (302) 456-9003
Email: kelmelis@emphotonics.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

In this proposal we will develop a general method for fabricating 3D polymer based Photonic Crystal structures (PhCs) with engineered defects. The criterions of such a method include the generality of producing various periodic arrangements of 2D, 3D PhCs with or without aperiodic features, compatibility for different polymer materials and their synthetic processes, batch manufacturability for low cost duplication, integratability for tuning elements and extendibility for other fabrication approaches. In this effort, we propose such a fabrication method. Derived from the mature planar lithography, this method accomplishes 3D confined exposure with mask-controlled in-plan patterns and an absorption-controlled vertical exposure depth. Based on specially selected polymer chemistry, new polymer layer can be applied on the top of previously patterned polymer layer. 3D structure can be built up in a layer-by-layer if the above two processes are repeated for multiple times. Depending on the application, the resulted 3D PhCs can act as the final product or intermediate template for the infiltration of desired polymer material. The ability to efficiently fabricate 3D PhC structures with engineered defects will open a new paradigm for tuning the optical as well as the dispersion properties of PhCs using polymers with refractive index as low as 1.4.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

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