Highly Directional Infrared Emission and Transmission

ABSTRACT: In this STTR program, Agiltron and Iowa State University (ISU) jointly propose to develop simple material and structural solutions that enable directionally dependent emission in the infrared regime. The highly directional infrared emission has extremely narrow emission patterns and a large difference between high and low emission states. In the Phase I program, the structure will be fabricated on top of a flat silicon substrate. Samples will be provided to the US Air Force for evaluation. The sample will have the following properties that fully fulfill the requirement of this solicitation: ratio of high/low emissivity better than 20, angle of radiation cone as small as 5 degrees. BENEFIT: The technical approach we propose is highly generalizable to the development of infrared lens/filters, beam splitters and other focal plane elements with highly directional emission property. It can be used for thermal management in space and other commercial applications. It can also be used to alter the observability of platforms as a function of angle of observation.