Development of Synthesis, Processing, and Characterization Techniques for Next Generation Electroactive Materials

新的量子和统计力学方法将应用于电光材料的合理设计，目标是在电信波长处实现1000 pm/V的电光活性，以及小于2 dB/cm的光损耗和大于180摄氏度的材料玻璃化转变温度。 材料性能目标对于下一代国防、国土安全和信息技术的实施至关重要。 理论上启发的发色团将被合成，包括通过微波辅助的协议，并纳入树枝状和树枝化的聚合物超分子晶格，反过来，旨在促进发色团的非中心对称组织。 材料晶格将通过Retro-Diels-桤木和氟乙烯基醚交联化学物质硬化。 已经证明了适当的概念验证计算和合成方法。 这些材料将被转移到政府、工业和其他学术实验室，用于各种设备，包括利用纳米硅光子电路的设备。 除了为华盛顿大学的本科生和研究生的培训做出贡献外，主要研究者还积极参与指导一些高中学生，并与少数民族服务机构（诺福克州立大学、亚拉巴马A M大学和传统学院）合作，制定他们的研究和教育计划，包括新的研究生学位课程。现代防御平台、嵌入式网络传感和信息技术（计算机芯片、数据管理和通信网络）越来越多地涉及电子和光子的同时利用。 高带宽、低功率的电光转换对这一过程至关重要。 新的理论方法将用于实现30倍的提高聚合物材料的电光效率在协调材料设计，合成和表征的拟议三年计划。 实际目标是大大推进静电力的基本理解，定义材料（超/超分子）纳米结构（和由此产生的光子和电子性能），并利用这种理解，以实现新的材料，使记录数据处理速率大于100 Gb/s的控制电压小于1伏和几毫瓦的光功率。 这些要求对于相控阵雷达以及传感和信息管理系统（国防、国土安全和信息技术）至关重要。 在这个项目中进行的研究与波音、洛克希德·马丁、英特尔和其他大大小小的公司的未来商业产品有关。 该项目将促进高中、本科和研究生的培训和最终就业安置。 此外，首席研究员积极参与少数民族服务机构（诺福克州立大学，亚拉巴马A M大学和传统学院）的工作，以加强他们的教育和研究活动，包括开发新的学位课程，对国家技术劳动力的培训至关重要，并提高劳动力的多样性。

New quantum and statistical mechanical methods will be applied to the rational design of electro-optic materials with the target of achieving electro-optic activity of 1000 pm/V at telecommunication wavelengths together with optical loss of less than 2 dB/cm and material glass transition temperatures of greater than 180 degees C. Material performance targets are critical for implementation of next generation defense, homeland security, and information technologies. Theoretically-inspired chromophores will be synthesized, including by microwave-assisted protocols, and incorporated into dendritic and dendronized polymer supermolecular lattices that are, in turn, designed to promote noncentrosymmetric organization of the chromophores. Material lattices will be hardened through Retro-Diels-Alder and fluorovinyl ether crosslinking chemistries. Appropriate proof-of-concept calculations and synthetic methods have been demonstrated. Materials will be transitioned to government, industry, and other academic laboratories for incorporation into a variety of devices including devices utilizing nanoscopic silicon photonic circuitry. In addition to contributing the training of undergraduate and graduate students at the University of Washington, the principal investigator is actively involved in mentoring a number of high schools students and in working with minority serving institutions (Norfolk State University, Alabama A&M University, and Heritage College) in developing their research and education programs including new graduate degree programs.%%%Modern defense platforms, imbedded network sensing, and information technology (computer chips; data management and communication networks) increasingly involve simultaneous utilization of electronics and photonics. High bandwidth, low power electro-optic conversion is critical to this process. New theoretical methods will be used to achieve a factor of 30 improvement of electro-optic efficiency of polymeric materials in the proposed three year program of coordinated material design, synthesis, and characterization. The practical objective is to dramatically advance the fundamental understanding of electrostatic forces that define material (super/supramolecular) nanostructure (and resultant photonic and electronic properties) and to exploit that understanding to achieve new materials enabling record data handling rates of greater than 100 Gb/s with control voltages of less than 1 volt and optical powers of a few milliwatts. These requirements are critical for phased array radar and for sensing and information management systems (Defense, Homeland Security, and Information Technologies). The research conducted in this project is relevant to future commercial products of Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Intel, and other companies both large and small. The project will advance the training and ultimate job placement of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Moreover, the principal investigator is actively involved in working with minority serving institutions (Norfolk State University, Alabama A&M University, and Heritage College) to enhance their education and research activities, including development of new degree programs, critical for training of the Nation's technology workforce and enhancing the diversity of that workforce.