Metallic Grid Application for Green Ceramic Domes

Transparent domes for multimode seeker technology with integrated fine metal grid for EMI shielding are currently being developed. Specific line width and spacing requirements for the embedded metallic grids in the domes significantly limit the available methods for fabrication. A potential approach to producing these structures is by applying a metallic grid pattern to the green dome blank, and then adding a second green layer of the same material over the grid. When the green blank is fired, the metal grid pattern sinters together into a continuous metal pattern at the same time that the ceramic layers are sintering together into a dense ceramic. We propose herein to develop a direct write grid application method, suitable to achieve the electrical requirements for the EMI shielding. The proposed method will overcome the prior issues by providing opportunities for a wide conductor material choice, as well as variable line thickness capability. Our proposed efforts build on prior and current experience with direct write methods that have been, or are being evaluated for this application. Gridded coupons and partial domes will be demonstrated in Phase I. A fully gridded 7” hemispherical dome will be produced by the end of the Phase I Option.