Optical Limiting System Based on Shape-Controlled Plasmonic Nanoparticles

The proliferation of threat lasers from multiple wavelengths present a significant danger to ground vehicle crew members looking through direct view optics (vision blocks/unity periscopes). Current technologies utilize narrow band filters to block threats at specific wavelengths of common lasers. What is needed is a single frequency-agile laser eye protection system that is effective throughout the visible spectrum. We will develop an optical limiting filter, based on shape-controlled plasmonic nanoparticles that will provide instantaneous response to laser threats to address the fast pulses from sources such as Q-switched lasers at wavelengths across the visible spectrum (400-700 nm). We will use shape controlled synthesis to tune the non-linear optical limiting threshold to levels where they will be activated at intensities that would normally require the limiter solution to be at the focal point.