SBIR Phase II: Rare Earth-Aluminum Oxide Glass Photonic Devices

这个小型企业创新研究(SBIR)二期项目将开发基于一种新的专有稀土氧化物系列的光子器件-氧化铝玻璃，即掺Yb、Tm和Er氧化物的真正玻璃。第一阶段的研究表明，Yb3+具有非常广泛的发射，共掺玻璃中的能量传递效率很高，Tm和Er的荧光寿命和光谱在高掺杂浓度下满足器件要求。论证了该玻璃放大生产的可行性。第二阶段的活动包括：与从事玻璃和光学器件业务的公司合作；扩大玻璃合成规模；优化器件的掺杂剂浓度和光学性质；以及构建和表征原型激光器件。光学器件产品的市场非常大、跨国，而且通过扩大应用和替代技术而不断增长。第二阶段的研发重点是用于通信、激光手术和新兴军事应用的激光、放大器和光学设备。专利地位和技术中没有复杂的专有利益使这项工作处于强大的商业地位。

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project will develop photonic devices based on a new and proprietary family of rare earth oxide - aluminum oxide glasses, the real glasses, doped with Yb, Tm, and Er oxides. Phase I research showed exceptionally broad emission from Yb 3+, efficient energy transfer in co-doped glasses, and fluorescence lifetimes and spectra of Tm and Er that meet device requirements at high dopant concentrations. Feasibility of scaled-up production of the glasses was demonstrated. The Phase II activities include: collaboration with firms engaged in the glass and optical device business; scaled-up glass synthesis; optimization of dopant concentration and optical properties for devices; and construction and characterization of prototype laser devices.Markets for optical device products are extremely large, multinational, and growing though expanded applications and displaced technologies. The Phase II R&D is focused on lasers, amplifiers, and optical devices for communications, laser surgery, and emerging military applications. The patent position and the absence of complex proprietary interests in the technology place this work in a strong commercial position.