SBIR-STTR Award

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase I project is focused on the design and development of novel fiber optic arrays for use as image inverters. In a collaborative effort with scientist at Pacific Northwest National Laboratories and Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory we will investigate new methods for incorporating nanoparticles into polymer optical fibers for use in these arrays. To the best of our knowledge this research will lead to the first optical fiber doped with inorganic nanoparticles. The polymer optical fibers produced as a result of this research will be optimal for imaging applications such as fiber optic inverters. Nanoparticle doping of the polymer allows for inexpensive realization of a high refractive index without adversely affecting the optical qualities of the polymer. Conventional doping or copolymerization techniques cannot achieve a high refractive index while maintaining optical quality. Nanoparticle doped polymer image inverters have several distinct advantages over their glass counterparts, including lighter weight and the ability to be doped with organic or inorganic compounds to add functionality to the fiber array and to increase image clarity and resolution of the fiber optic array (inverter)

This Small Business Innovative Research Phase II research project is to design and fabricate high quality polymer optical fiber faceplates and imaging inverters for use in night vision systems and other devices. The Phase II research will optimize and expand the technology developed during the successful Phase I research. The end result will be a flexible and economic method for fabricating polymer fibers arrays optimized for use in faceplates and inverters. Phase II will greatly increase the overall quality of the arrays including optical loss, distortions, and functionality. The optical loss properties will be greatly improved through the use of optical quality materials. Material changes and modifications will result in improved contrast and resolution of the imaging guides. Individual fiber tolerances and bundling improvement will be realized as a result of tower and packing improvements. Fusing process alterations will result in dramatically improved image distortion. The technology will be further expanded to include doped core and cladding materials to increase the functionality of the inverters and faceplates. This technology will be material independent and can be applied to existing polymer materials as well as polymer materials modified or developed in the future.

Keywords:
Faceplates Image Inverters Polymer Optical Fiber Night Vision