Increased Infrared (IR) Sensor Angle of Regard for Conformal/Special Operations Force

ABSTRACT: Nanohmics is proposing a technology development program that will result in infrared optical components (windows, lenses, and domes) that have high-performance broadband anti-reflection, large angle-of-regard, and anti-erosion properties. The underlying technology is based on a new low-cost process for creating random nanoscale features on optical surfaces. The proposed Phase II program builds on the breakthroughs achieved in Phase I, and will culminate in the delivery of multiple articles of infrared optics with high-performance coatings. In parallel, Nanohmics will scale up existing production capabilities to enable low-volume throughput of high-performance surface treatments for infrared optical components for commercial and DoD customers. BENEFIT: Commercialization of the high-performance anti-reflective, wide angle-of-regard infrared optical technology is addressed with a series of scale-ups in process equipment and capability, to the point where small-volume throughput for the surface treatment of infrared optical components can be achieved by the completion of the Phase II program.