SPECIAL NOTICE
99 -- TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY A method for stabilizing wavelength-selective optical elements during laser system startup transients
- Notice Date
- 5/22/2023 2:44:43 PM
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 333248
—
- Contracting Office
- LLNS � DOE CONTRACTOR Livermore CA 94551 USA
- ZIP Code
- 94551
- Response Due
- 6/21/2023 3:00:00 PM
- Point of Contact
- Dave Dawes, Phone: 9254220801, Charlotte Eng, Phone: 9254221905
- E-Mail Address
-
dawes4@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov
(dawes4@llnl.gov, eng23@llnl.gov)
- Description
- Opportunity: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its novel method for stabilizing wavelength-selective optical elements during laser system startup transients. Background: Optical elements that exhibit wavelength- or angular-selective properties due to diffraction or optical interference effects are often used to stabilize, point, combine or demultiplex optical beams in laser systems. Such optical elements include diffraction gratings (including holographic, Bragg, and ruled gratings) and optical thin film filters. During laser system transients, such as ramping optical power from a cold start, the residual optical absorption in such elements can cause shifts in their spectral characteristics. For example, their transmitted wavelength may change due to thermally induced changes in the optic�s refractive index or dimensions. While such transients can in principle be mitigated by aggressive heat sinking, this approach is not always practical; this is especially the case for transmissive optics with large optical apertures because their overall thermal resistance tends to be quite large. Description: This invention discloses a method to minimize transient variations in the wavelength- and/or pointing-behavior of an optic, without requiring a reduction in its thermal resistance, optical absorption, or operating irradiance. The invention employs a combination of a time-varying heat source and time-varying thermal resistance and/or heat sink temperature to achieve temperature stability of the optic during transient variations in the optical power to which it is exposed. To maintain a desired optic temperature at all times, independent of the optical exposure level of the optic, heating from the source and thermal resistance are reduced to compensate for changes in the optical exposure of the optic. This compensation approach does not require a feedback loop; the temporal profiles of the heat source and thermal resistance can be determined in advance of a transient, provided the optical exposure variation is known in advance. Advantages/Benefits:� LLNL�s novel method for stabilizing wavelength-selective optical elements during laser system startup transients has several advantages for high power laser systems using large aperture optics: Enables rapid achievement of full capacity operation after turning on or power change, Enables robust output wavelength stability and tuning, Enables fast and reliable laser output deflection, Enables efficient combination of multiple lasers output beams into a single beam. Potential Applications:� Enabling robust operation of high-power directed energy laser systems using large aperture optics. Increasing process throughput in industrial applications that employ high-power laser systems using large aperture optics. Development Status:� Current stage of technology development:� TRL 3 (March 2023) � LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information.� Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. Note:� THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT.� Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's novel method for stabilizing wavelength-selective optical elements during laser system startup transients should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: 1.�������� Company Name and address. 2.�������� The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 3.�������� A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's novel method for stabilizing wavelength-selective optical elements during laser system startup transients. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL�s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA� 94551-0808 Attention:�� IL-13817
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/39b8ff4ecb2f4c5e9b4ad3a64e640c94/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Livermore, CA, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06690092-F 20230524/230522230110 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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