# TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Optically Addressable Light Valves for High Power Laser Operations

Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/il13873

- Solicitation number: IL-13873
- Notice type: Special notice
- Status: Closed. Deadline was February 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST
- Department: Department of Energy
- Contracting office: LLNS – DOE Contractor (899011)
- NAICS: 334419 Other Electronic Component Manufacturing
- Place of performance: Livermore, California
- County: Alameda County (FIPS 06001). https://abierto.us/counties/alameda-county-ca-06001
- City: Livermore. https://abierto.us/cities/livermore-ca-0641992
- First posted: January 17, 2024
- Last posted: January 17, 2024
- SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/af86aaaad09b4c91b13ab62f91cfb4f0/view

## 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 optically addressable light valves for high power operation.

**Background:** Optically Addressable Light Valves (OALV) are devices used to control the spatial shape of laser beams. Its key elements are transparent conductors (TC), a photoconductor, and a liquid crystal. LLNL filed for patent protection of OALVs built using wide/ultrawide bandgap semiconductors (WBG/UWBG) to increase the laser induced damage threshold of the device. The invention enables OALVs to operate in both high fluence short pulse applications and continuous wave high power density operational environments.

**Description:** LLNL researchers has developed designs to augment WBG/UWBG-based OALVs to improve their power handling capability under CW operational environments. These designs include:

High thermal conductivity photoconductor and optical window Hight thermal conductivity ring fin Axial fan(s) Radial fins Airflow slits to enhance air circulation Air wipe system with compressed air Liquid cooling heat exchanger over the ring fin.

**Advantages/Benefits:**

**Value Proposition:** Improved performance in high power operations. Thermal management Active cooling for optics transmitting high intensity light Potential Applications: Increased reliability -> improved performance Damage mitigation for high value optics Powder Bed Fusion Additive Manufacturing Thermal management for other optical devices Development Status: Current stage of technology development: TRL 2 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 OALVs for high power operations should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. 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 OALVs for high power operations. 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-13873

## Publications

- January 17, 2024: Special notice, due February 17, 2024 at 3:00 PM EST. Notice af86aaaad09b4c91b13ab62f91cfb4f0. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/af86aaaad09b4c91b13ab62f91cfb4f0/view

## Points of contact

- Genaro Mempin, mempin1@llnl.gov, 9254231121
- Charlotte Eng, eng23@llnl.gov, 9254221905

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Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/il13873.