Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) Polymers for High Speed Electronically Tunable Fiber-Optic Filter

Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) Polymers for High Speed Electronically Tunable Fiber-Optic Filter
Navy STTR FY2005

Sol No.:	Navy STTR FY2005
Topic No.:	N05-T007
Topic Title:	Perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) Polymers for High Speed Electronically Tunable Fiber-Optic Filter
Proposal No.:	N054-007-0288
Firm:	Tetramer Technologies, LLC 657 S. Mechanic Street Pendleton, South Carolina 29670-1808
Contact:	Earl Wagener
Phone:	(864) 653-4339
Web Site:	www.tetramertechnologies.com
Abstract:	This Phase I STTR proposal will combine commercial optical polymer technology from Tetramer Technologies, L.L.C. (Tetramer) and state of electro-optic chromophore advances, with Prof. Greg Nordin at the University of Alabama at Huntsville (UAH) and their expertise in design and fabrication of initial prototypes of compact electronically tunable fiber-optic filters. Tetramer, Clemson, and UAH researchers have enjoyed a rich and fruitful collaboration since 2001 through multi-collaborative academic programs primarily sponsored by DARPA. Novel electro-optic (EO) PFCB copolymers are unique for their low loss, tunable optical and thermal properties, and unmatched solution or solventless processability, which make them suitable for ultra fast optical filters. Specifically, the ultimate target for Phase I combined with Phase II will be the development and fabrication of optical fiber compatible tunable waveguide filters which can enable the realization of a low loss, selective receiver. During Phase I, prototype devices will be designed and tested in collaboration with the Prof. Greg Nordin at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH). Following successful fabrication and testing, Tetramer and UAH plan to partner with suitable device manufacturers for commercialization in Phase II.
Benefits:	Tetramer's business model is centered on using our core competency of polymer synthesis, formulation and processing to supply high performance polymers to optical device manufacturers. Our business strategy of customer focused product research and development through secrecy agreements, non-disclosure agreements, and joint development agreements has resulted in over $100,000 in sales in the past 3 years with ~$125,000 being projected for 2005. Tetramer has maintained a positive cash flow during this period without any venture capital. This close partnership approach assures that the commercial development is based on realistic optical performance properties that have commercial value for both the device manufacturer and Tetramer. This proposal is an excellent fit for Tetramer's commercialization strategy. During Phase I, we will design a new opto-electric polymer material meeting the electronically tunable fiber-optic filter for aerospace WDM networks. Working with Dr. Greg Nordin's group at University of Alabama at Huntsville we will address the technical objectives defined by the Navy and develop a commercial prototype for Phase II development. Phases I and II will target device containing a polymer material which will deliver athermal stable operation of a filter over military aircraft temperatures, with micro-second or less tuning speed across the C-Band ITU grid with narrow bandwidth and low sidelobes. During this time, contacts will be made in the very attractive commercial market for development of this new technology. Our unique patent position in perfluorocyclobutyl specialty polymers gives us a distinct competitive advantage in this very active marketplace that has technical needs similar to those being addressed by this proposal. For this Navy proposal, we are delighted to be partnering with the Dr. Greg Nordin group who are known for their optical device fabrication capability Tetramer has been working with Dr. Nordin and his group for the past two years on optical devices derived from PFCB specialty polymers. During this time, contacts will be made in the very attractive commercial market for development of this new technology. Our unique patent position in perfluorocyclobutyl specialty polymers gives us a distinct competitive advantage in this very active marketplace that has technical needs similar to those being addressed by this proposal. The commercial market for both thermoptic and electro optic switches is difficult to estimate due to the 2000 "crash", when many integrated optics suppliers went out of business. However, the market size is still large. For example, Strategies Unlimited reported in December of 2002: "...we expect the optical components vendor revenues in 2003 to be $2.1 billion far below the $9.1 billion peak we saw in 2000. However, the need for lower cost, higher rates of data transmission has not gone away, and the global research and development efforts for delivering this optical technology have not decreased proportionally." The same report, for example, predicted 30% growth for the next three years, bringing the optical components revenues in 2005 back to 2001 levels of about $3.5 billion.�42 Even at the depressed size of $2.1 billion, the optical components market is still significant. Detailed market studies of the optical component sector by component vary. For example, Electronicast in 2002 reported in February 12, 2001 issue of Light Reading predicted the planar waveguide market alone to grow to $400 million in 2004 and double to $800 million in 2006.43 Cahners (www.lightreading.com/documentsp?doc_id=25537) In-Stat Group predicted MEMS optical switching systems to show huge growth to $2.3 billion by 2005.42 An earlier report from Communications Industry Researchers Inc. predicted the integrated optics components market to grow to $2.6 billion by 2005 (www.lightreading.com/document.asp?doc id=10777) Detailed market data for the materials segment of the optical components sector was not available to us, but we have assumed that the materials portion of the markets shown above products varied from 10% to 15%, producing rough market potential estimate of $300 to $450 million dollars by 2005 for telecommunications components only. (assuming a middle road estimate of $3.0 million for the optical components market.) Growing this number by 10% per year gives a potential market of $440 to $650 million by 2009. In addition to the Navy, Tetramer envisions other interested commercial customers to come from a wide spectrum of integrated optic component and device manufacturers and range from large companies such as Intel, JDS Uniphase, Lucent, 3M, Agilent, General Dynamics, IBM, Lockheed and Central Glass to smaller device developers such as mmPhotons, Photonport, CSEM, and Omega Optics. Commercial success for a company is built on competitive advantage, attractive growing global markets, value to the customer, strategic fit, and a potential profitability. This Phase I SBIR will produce a high technology product having value to the Navy, the US, and the companies involved.

Return