A -- LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SEEKS INDUSTRIAL PARTNERS FOR PRECISION FIGURING BY WET CHEMICAL OPTICAL ETCHING

Notice Date

December 20, 2000

Contracting Office

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, 7000 East Avenue, Livermore, CA 94550

ZIP Code

94550

Solicitation Number

CBD-01-002

Response Due

January 23, 2001

Point of Contact

Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization (925)423-3139

Description

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Seeks Industrial Partners for PRECISION FIGURING BY WET CHEMICAL OPTICAL ETCHING Posting in Commerce Business Daily CBD-01-002 The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) is operated by the University of California under contract with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). LLNL is seeking collaborators in the commercialization and further development of a method of figuring complex optics and using wet chemical etchants confined to a stable tool geometry by surface tension gradient effects or Marangoni effects. This etching process involves modifying the surface of an object by contacting the surface with a liquid processing solution while using the liquid applicator geometry and the Marangoni effect (surface tension, gradient-driven flow) to define and confine the dimensions of the wetted zone on an optical surface. The process is used to contour or figure the surface of an optic using an etchant solution as the wetting fluid. Real-time interferometry is used to control the placement and dwell time of this wetted zone locally on the surface of the optic. No mechanical or thermal stresses are imparted on the workpiece during this process. This lack of stress induction enables real-time interferometry for closed-loop process control, and allows figuring to optical tolerances of sub-millimeter thickness, large-aperture plates or sheets. This process has been demonstrated by the automated, deterministic optical figuring of thin glass sheets. This demonstration was accomplished by wet chemical etching using a buffered hydrofluoric acid solution with the inherent Marangoni effect. The result of the demonstration was an initial figure error of several waves of one-dimensional surface ripple, finally reduced to less than 1 wave of aberration over a 150x200 (mm)2 aperture. Collaborators are sought with technical and scientific expertise in the areas of precision optical fabrication. Successful collaborators will have an established history of manufacturing and marketing high precision optics in volume. Additionally, the collaborator will have demonstrated a consistent record of research and development, experience, and expertise in precision optical manufacturing technologies and applications. A successful collaboration would include a corporate commitment for resources and funding to this project. While it is likely that successful collaborators would be for-profit businesses, successful collaborations may also include state, federal, or local governmental agencies, or universities. Mechanisms for collaborations may include licensing, work for others, or Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs). Any non-licensing collaboration must include a significant funds-in component to LLNL for the development of pre-production prototype processing systems to be successfully considered. LLNL has a significant and burgeoning core of scientific and intellectual property background, and pending patent applications, for this project. To ensure consideration, interested parties must respond in writing to LLNL within thirty (30) days from the date this CBD announcement is posted on-line and provide the following information: (1) the name and address of your organization, (2) the name, address, telephone number, and fax number of a point of contact, (3) the business, product, and financial history of your organization, (4) a description of your organization's expertise and facilities in the areas of precision optical fabrication, (5) the organizational history of research and development funding, and (6) the resources your organization could commit to this project. Statements of interest should be sent to: Industrial Partnerships and Commercialization Office Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory P.O. Box 808, L-795 Livermore, CA 94551 Attention: OptoEtch -- CBD-01-002 This is not a procurement.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001222/ASOL015.HTM (W-355 SN509412)