Novel High Transmittance Curved Surface Laser Eye and Sensor Protection

The exposure of warfighters and sensitive optics to non-visible, near-infrared lasers is a growing concern, and new technologies are needed to address drawbacks associated with currently used organic dye- or reflective film-based solutions. Plasmonic nanomaterials provide a route to obtain the tunable optical properties and angle-independent performance associated with organic dyes, but with much higher extinction coefficients and increased thermal and environmental stability. The optical response of these colloidal particles can be tuned during fabrication and the materials can be integrated into resins, polycarbonate or other matrices for use in coating systems. We will formulate plasmonic particles and anisotropic metallic particles into thin films to provide broad spectral extinction in the near-infrared and microwave regions of the electromagnetic spectrum while maintaining high visible transmittance to enable viewing or sensor operation. The proposed passive coatings will offer angle-independent protection and be suitable for coating substrates with complex geometry.