NanoOpto proposes to combine novel nano-structured materials with liquid crystal actuators in an extension of resonant grating filter theory to design a highly compact, high performance, easily manufactured, dynamic spectral filter. The theoretical breakthrough is twofold: first, in the use of nano-scale gratings in the filter design - this allows significantly and continuously modify material properties in ways that have not here-to-fore been possible; and, second, integrating these nano-optic grating with a liquid crystal layer to create an electronically tunable optical filter. The proposed design platform will apply to a range of wavelengths from visible through IR, support a range of environments by selection of appropriate materials and controls, and allow application specific performance trade-offs (such as between tuning range, selectivity, and tuning speed). Applications are expected to include spatial light modulators, optical sensors, and imaging systems. The proposed Phase I effort will yield characterization of constituent materials - principally nano-structured materials, liquid crystal materials, and associated thin films; model optical performance across a range of environmental conditions; and propose final designs parameters that will readily lead to working prototypes and manufacturing processes in an ensuing Phase
