Dual Band MWIR and LWIR Switchable Beam Splitter and Filter

This SBIR Phase II proposal proposes to develop prototypes of switchable beam splitter device (BSD) and filter in mid-wave infrared (MWIR) [as a threshold] and in both MWIR and long wave infrared (LWIR) [as an objective] to enhance the 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (3rd Gen FLIR) performance. The switchable beamsplitter and filter are based on KOI's remarkable switchable broadband liquid crystal (LC) technology. Low loss liquid crystal materials with large Delta(n), Delta(e);, and low viscosity will be designed and synthesized to support the BSD and filter development. The switchable BSD and filter can be electronically controlled to change from transmissive to reflective in the designated IR bands. Both BSD and filter are made into a monolithic configuration and are expected to have The devices are expected to have the following performance specifications: - Transmission change from less than 5% to greater than 90% - Reflection change from less than 5% to greater than 90% - Change time less than 2.0 seconds for entire range