Non Focal Plane Laser Protection Technology Based on Combinatorial Optical Limiting Approaches

This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I proposal offers to develop a solid, non-focal plane based laser protection technology that will meet the requirements of fast response time, high transparency under normal illumination conditions, and increased broadband (400 to 1400 nm) spectral response for the protection of eyes and sensors from laser beams. A novel approach to composite optical power limiters (OPLs) based on multi-component non-linear optical (NLO) materials, namely carbon nanotubes and organic NLO chromophores, that will be blended together in a common matrix is proposed. A proprietary hyperbranched polymer that forms excellent optical quality films and non-yellowing, scratch resistant coatings will be used as the host material. Oxazogen’s solid state OPL technology represents a paradigm shift from currently available technologies and has the potential to provide the best overall laser protection. Current laser protection technologies do not provide an adequate solution to the simultaneous challenges of fast response time, low energy threshold over broadband radiation. Salient features of Oxazogen’s approach include an easy to process solid state material, the ability to be coated on a variety of optical substrate, and the fact that it can be used as an independent filter, requiring no reworking of current system configurations.