Collaborative Research: Digitally Addressable and Scalable Laser Fabrication of 3D Gradient Index Nanostructures and Nanophotonic Circuits

这笔赠款为先进的数字工具与激光纳米制造技术的集成提供了资金。这种被称为变换光学的数值工具将被用于计算具有预定光学函数的三维结构。所设计的结构将通过多种激光使能图案化技术来制造。三维激光图案将由具有非常高像素数的迷你液晶显示器(LCD)控制。将显示数字信息，以逐个像素地对激光光束进行编码。这将使高精度和快速生产具有预先设计的光学特性的纳米结构成为可能。通过快速改变微型LCD上显示的数字编码信息，将产生大量的功能纳米结构。上述技术还将用于通过增加光路和控制内部光来制造光学电路。这项研究的结果将导致光学器件设计的改进和先进激光制造能力的发展。这些新的数字化设计和制造工具将使电信、传感和成像应用的功能纳米结构和设备的快速设计、验证和制造成为可能。数字显示激光制造技术将极大地简化激光纳米制造过程，改善过程控制。单次激光曝光和大体积构图工艺将降低制造成本，使该工艺在工业和技术上具有吸引力。这项研究还将为不同的本科生和研究生群体提供教育机会。

This grant provides funding for the integration of advanced numerical tools with laser nano-manufacturing techniques. The numerical tools, called transformation optics, will be used to calculate three-dimensional structures with pre-determined optical functions. The designed structures will be fabricated by multiple laser beam-enabled patterning techniques. The three-dimensional laser patterns will be controlled by a mini liquid crystal display (LCD) with very high numbers of pixels. The numerical information will be displayed to encode the laser beam pixel by pixel. This will enable high-precision and rapid production of nanostructures with pre-designed optical properties. A large number of functional nanostructures will be produced by rapidly changing the numerical coding information displayed on the mini LCD. The above techniques will also be used to fabricate optical circuits by adding light paths and controlling the light inside.The results of this research will lead to improvements in the design of optical devices and the development of an advanced laser fabrication capability. These new digital design and fabrication tools will enable the rapid design, verification, and fabrication of functional nanostructures and devices for telecommunication, sensing, and imaging applications. The digital display-enabled laser fabrication technique will drastically simplify the laser nano-manufacturing process and improve the process control. The single laser exposure and large-volume patterning process will reduce the manufacturing cost, making the process industrially and technically attractive. This research will also provide educational opportunities to a diverse group of undergraduate and graduate students.