This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will develop diffractive optical elements (DOEs) based on photodynamic azobenzene functionalized polymeric materials. DOEs with surface relief structures are playing an important role in the rapidly emerging photonic technologies. This Phase I project will focus upon the direct photofabrication of DOEs on photodynamic azopolymers, and experiments on the recording and testing of the surface relief DOEs will be carried out. If successful, this elegant, simple processing of materials into optical elements with surface relief structure will lead to DOEs that are inexpensive, versatile and flexible.
