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Thermally Switchable Optical Devices

Detailed Technology Description

None

*Abstract

The present invention generally relates to optical devices and methods for making the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to novel, mesoscopically periodic materials that combine crystalline colloidal array (CCA) self-assembly with the temperature induced volume phase transitions of materials that undergo a volume change in response to temperature changes. These materials are used to create tunable optical devices such as optical switches, optical limiters and optical filters that select and/or reject predetermined wavelengths of light. In addition, these materials can be used to create various display devices and processing elements as well as filtering devices whose pore sizes can be varied. The present invention provides optical devices useful as optical switches, optical limiters and/or optical filters that are responsive to changes in temperature. "Optical switch" refers to an optical device that diffracts a particular wavelength of light weakly at one temperature and strongly at another temperature; such a device is therefore "switched" off or on by changing the temperature. "Optical filter" refers to an optical device that allows all light but that of a given wavelength to pass through; the diffracted wavelength can be changed or tuned by changing the temperature. "Optical limiter" refers to an optical device that allows transmission of radiation below a certain threshold intensity, but transmission decreases at higher light intensities. The term "band" of wavelengths will be understood by those in the art to refer to a span of wavelengths. This band can be narrow, with a width of less than one nanometer, or broad, encompassing many nanometers. The devices of the present invention function to selectively and effectively diffract a narrow band of wavelengths from a broader spectrum of incident radiation while transmitting adjacent wavelengths to a high degree. For example, the optical devices of the present invention can filter out greater than about 99 to 99.9% of a wavelength band of about 20 to 500 .ANG. while transmitting more than about 70 to 90% of the intensity of remaining wavelengths. Methods for making these optical devices are also disclosed.

*Principal Investigator

Name: Sanford Asher, Distinguished Professor of Chemistry

Department: Chemistry

Name: Hari Sunkara

Department: Chemistry

Name: Jesse Weissman

Department: Chemistry

Country/Region

USA