Dual Band MWIR and LWIR Switchable Beam Splitter and Filter

In this SBIR Phase I Proposal, Kent Optronics, Inc (KOI) proposes to develop liquid crystal based fast speed, high efficiency dual band infrared switchable beam splitter and filter for 3rd Generation Forward Looking Infrared (3rd Gen FLIR). The device can be electronically controlled to change from transmissive to reflective in mid-wave infrared [MWIR (3.5 – 5.0 m)] and long wave infrared [LWIR (7.5 – 12.0 m)]. The components are to replace those movable components that change the optical path of each spectral band in the currently developed 3rd Gen FLIR Systems. The technology is based on the electrically switchable liquid crystal that exhibits spectrally selective reflection which current state-of-the-art technologies such as electrochromic are lacking of. The devices are expected to have: - 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 Phase I is the technology feasibility to prove the capability of meeting the requirements. In Phase II, prototypes will be developed to meet the designed specifications, followed by the Phase III commercialization for commercial applications.