Instant-Blackening Laser Protection Material Based on Combinatorial Linear and Nonlinear Approaches

To date, there are no light-activated instant-blackening optical materials available for use in eye and sensor protection that can properly integrate with other essential equipment. This SBIR Phase II proposal will build upon the desirable material properties obtained in Phase I, with an emphasis on optimization of OPL effects required to proceed towards full fledged prototype for field testing and subsequent commercialization. We will continue our work with carbon nanotubes (CNT), chromophores and carbon-rich molecules as active components for OPL materials to target laser blocking at the visible broadband region while allowing sufficient transmittance of light under normal illumination. Major achievements to date include synthesis and blending of nano-scaled hyperbranched polymers that possess excellent film forming characteristics, optimization of the process to include all of the laser blocking components into the polymer matrix in the form of stable nanoparticle suspensions, excellent optical quality of the films (no apparent haze or light scattering), excellent control of loading of chromophore components and consequent tuning of percentage transmission, and excellent optical power limiting capabilities. The Phase II program will entail an expanded series of OPL material formulations with lower threshold input energy, and easy to process solid state materials.