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Contract Opportunity

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 method for controlled etching of water sensitive optics.

Background:

Etching of optics to remove surface defects that reduce the laser-induced damage threshold is a key process used at LLNL (e.g. Advanced Mitigation Process (AMP) for fused silica optics). Water-sensitive optics like the KDP crystals used on the NIF beamlines lack a good etching process which this invention now addresses.

Description:

This invention takes advantage of the high water-solubility of key NIF KDP crystal optics and uses water as an etchant to remove surface defects and improve the laser induced damage threshold. Since pure water etches KDP too fast, this invention is to disperse water as nanosized droplets in a water-in-oil micro-emulsion. While in a stable micro-emulsion form, the surfactant additives prevent water from etching the crystal. Under ultrasonic agitation the water is liberated from the surfactant barrier where it can effectively dissolve and etch the KDP crystal. When the ultrasonic agitation is turned off the surfactant sequesters the water again rendering it inactive.

Advantages/Benefits:

The principal advantages of this invention are:

• Controllable etching of water-sensitive optics using water.


• Improves damage threshold of water-sensitive optical components.


• Applies to any water-sensitive optical component.


• Does not require the use of toxic compounds.

Potential Applications:

• Controlled etching of water-sensitive optics.


• Controlled etching of other water-sensitive components.


• Cosmetics and medicine e.g. ultrasonic-activated release of water-based topical remedy from oil-dispersed micro-emulsions in trans-dermal therapeutic solutions.

Development Status:

Current stage of technology development: TRL 4-5

LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention.

U.S. Patent No. 11,740,454 Etching of Water-Sensitive Optics with Water-in-Oil Emulsions published 8/29/2023

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 method for controlled etching of water sensitive optics should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following:

1. Company Name and address.


2. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact.


3. 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 method for controlled etching of water sensitive optics.

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-13217

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