Low-loss Optical Polymer Materials in Multi-kilogram Quantities for Optical Lens Development Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2013.2 Topic No.: N132-137 Topic Title: Low-loss Optical Polymer Materials in Multi-kilogram Quantities for Optical Lens Development Proposal No.: N132-137-0170 Firm: Tetramer Technologies, LLC 657 S. Mechanic Street Pendleton, South Carolina 29670-1808 Contact: Jeffrey DiMaio Phone: (864) 646-6282 Web Site: www.tetramertechnologies.com Abstract: In this Phase I SBIR program, Tetramer Technologies will develop new, commercially attractive, thermoplastic optical polymers that have ultra-low scattering losses for use in diffraction-limited optical lenses. The value proposition to the customer using Tetramer's optical polymers will be decreased scattering of light transmitted through the polymer lens, resulting in smaller Airy disks and improved Modulation Transfer Function in optical devices. Currently, the scattering loss found in commercial sources of optical polymers is unacceptably high to the detriment of the imaging capabilities of optical devices such as night vision goggles. The primary causes of scattering loss are extrinsic inclusions such as chemical and physical impurities. Due to the stringent processing required to remove these impurities, polymers with ultra-low scattering loss are not commercially available in reasonable quantities for optical device manufacture. Tetramer's development and commercial supply of these materials will facilitate value-added high-end polymer lenses and optical components with improved imaging performance. At the conclusion of the Phase I program, Tetramer will have developed optimal methods to prepare optical polymers with scattering loss less than 0.5 dB/m at a 1 kg scale and analyzed quality/volume/cost tradeoffs for these processes. Subsequent efforts will increase scale up to 10 kg. Benefits: It is anticipated that the ultra-low loss optical polymers developed through the proposed SBIR program will result in value-added products not only in military applications, such as night vision goggles and range finders, but also in other high end imaging devices and consumer products. In automotive night vision and surveillance night vision, the increased resolution that reduced forward light scattering affords will increase detection efficiency, providing greater safety and security to users. In consumer devices such as digital cameras, smartphones, and tablets, reducing the size and weight of optics while increasing image quality are constant efforts; polymer lenses can meet these needs if a commercial source of ultra-low loss polymers is made available. The optical polymers being developing in this program are also promising candidates for use in polymeric Gradient Index (GRIN) optics, an ongoing effort under DARPA's Space Enabled Effects for Military Engagements (SeeMe) program, which show greater focusing power, reduced aberrations, 7.5X weight reduction, and lower cost than conventional glass lenses. The patentable materials developed in this SBIR program have the potential to result in a new generation of optical polymer lenses with marketable benefit to the DoD as well as high-end consumer optical device manufacturers. Return