9311062 Fainman The goal of this proposal is to conduct basic research towards development of the polarization sensitive optical elements for passive switching fabric interconnection networks and for packaging of manufacturable optoelectronic systems. We propose to employ the approach of computer generated hologram (CGH) design of diffractive optical elements that possess two different impulse responses for two orthogonal polarizations. To obtain the dual impulse response functionality we will use two surface relief microstructures in birefringent material assembled face to face. The fabrication of these elements will leverage from the advances in the microelectronics technology using E beam lithography, photolithography, ion beam etching, ion implantation, etc. The objectives of this proposal include modelling, design, fabrication and testing of multilevel phase polarization sensitive diffractive optical elements built of naturally birefringent materials as well as of artificially birefringent materials obtained with form birefringence. In addition to the optoelectronic systems applications, the proposed research advance the basic science and engineering in such areas as vector optical wave diffraction on quantized multi level phase birefringent boundaries and microstructures, and microfabrication of CGH using deposition and ion implantation techniques. ***
