Additive Manufacture of Inorganic Freeform Gradient-Index Optics

An additive-manufacturing process will be developed for printing high-quality freeform inorganic gradient-index (GRIN) optical elements. Candidate nanocrystal materials including ZnS, ZrO, TiO2, PbSe, and rare-earth-doped metal oxides, will be synthesized and characterized. A process for inkjet-print depositing high-volume-percent loading density of binary, ternary, quaternary, etc., nanoparticle compositions will be demonstrated. A process for depositing uniform nanocomposite layers—that allows freeform GRIN elements to be fabricated, dried, and sintered with full densification and smooth surface finishes—will be developed. Gradient-index optical test structures will be fabricated and characterized. Using the measured material properties, in the Phase I option, an achromatic GRIN lens meeting the solicited requirements will be designed and a prototype will be fabricated. In Phase II, we will optimize the performance of the solicited lens, perform environmental testing, and delivery samples to the U.S. Navy for test and qualification. We will also extend the spectral range of the technology into the infrared.