SBIR Phase I: Commercialization of Innovative Low Refractive Index, High Temperature Perfluorocyclobutyl Polymers

这个小企业创新研究第一阶段项目将确定用于光子晶体（PC）光纤激光器和大模面积（LMA）双包层激光器的高温光纤激光涂层的技术可行性和商业价值主张。光纤激光器具有极高的功率、出色的光束质量和卓越的操作效率等潜力；然而，非线性效应决定了纤维长度越短，温度越高。增加聚合物涂层的热稳定性将允许更短、更有效和更强大的激光。此外，降低涂层的折射率可以减轻LMA激光器的非线性效应。Tetramer开发了新的合成化学物质来制备满足这些技术需求的聚合物结构，允许在高达350℃的温度下持续运行并降低折射率。在这个项目中，四聚体将合成新的单体和聚合物，并评估它们用作纤维涂层的性能。在该计划结束时，Tetramer预计将开发出具有一系列性能特征的新聚合物，这些特性是目前任何单一材料都无法获得的。因此，这些材料不仅将在高功率激光器的启用中得到应用，而且还将在许多其他商业产品中得到应用。该项目的广泛影响/商业潜力与激光应用的普遍趋势密切相关；光纤激光器正迅速成为激光制造的首选方法。通过使光纤激光器能够在更高的温度下工作，可以立即增加输出功率和使用寿命。通过改进涂层将功率输出提高一倍，将在金属加工（焊接、切割和雕刻/标记）、微加工和医疗设备等工业应用中具有主要的竞争优势。此外，在国防应用领域，光纤激光器功率的增加将使研究人员更接近于开发定向能束。这对国家具有重要意义，这类涂料的国内来源将具有战略意义。除了提高设备性能所带来的明显好处外，Tetramer还将利用该I/II阶段计划培训附近克莱姆森大学的本科生和研究生，并将与工业合作伙伴合作开发商业上可行的材料。在南卡罗莱纳，第二阶段成功的商业化将创造10个就业岗位，以帮助弥补纺织行业的失业。这些工作包括博士、硕士、学士和技术员级别的职位，以及为高中理科学生提供的拓展项目。

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will determine the technical feasibility and the commercial value proposition of a high temperature fiber optic laser coatings for photonic crystal (PC) fiber lasers and large mode area (LMA) double-clad laser. Fiber lasers hold great potential for extreme power, outstanding beam quality, and excellent operational efficiency; however, nonlinear effects dictate that shorter fiber length with higher temperatures be used. Increasing thermal stability of polymeric coatings would allow for shorter, more efficient, and more powerful lasers. Additionally, reducing the refractive index of the coatings could mitigate the non-linear effects in LMA lasers. Tetramer has developed new synthetic chemistries to prepare polymer architectures that meet these technical needs, allowing for sustained operation up to 350 C and reduced refractive index. During this program, Tetramer will synthesize new monomers and polymers and evaluate their properties for use as fiber coatings. At the end of this program, Tetramer anticipates the development of new polymers with a set of performance characteristics that are not available from any single material today. As a result, these materials will not only find applications in the enabling of high powered lasers, but in a host of other commercial products as well.The broader impact/commercial potential of this project strongly correlates with the universal trend within laser applications; fiber optic lasers are rapidly becoming the preferred method for laser fabrication. By enabling fiber lasers to operate at higher temperatures, an immediately increase in output power and service lifetime is accomplished. Doubling power output via improved coatings will have a major competitive advantage across industrial applications such as metalworking (welding, cutting, and engraving/marking), micromachining, and medical devices. Additionally, in the area of defense applications, the increased power from fiber lasers would place researchers much closer to developing directed energy beams. This is of national importance, and a domestic source of these types of coatings would be strategically critical. In addition to the clear benefits which come from improved device performance, Tetramer will use this Phase I/II program to train undergraduate and graduate level students from nearby Clemson University and will work with industrial partners to develop commercially viable materials. In South Carolina, successful commercialization after Phase II will create 10 jobs to help replace those lost in the textile industry. These jobs include the PhD, MS, BS, and technician level positions, as well as outreach programs for high school science students.