Laser Eye and Sensor Protection Based on Hybrid Micro/Nano-Structured Photosensitive Layers

Optical sensors and human eye are highly vulnerable to damage by laser irradiation. The advent of wavelength-tunable, high-powered and ultrashort-pulsed lasers has made currently-available protective techniques ineffective. To protect the sensitive optical equipments or eye from these lasers, protective devices must be able to work self-adaptively and automatically with broad spectral response while providing a clear normal-viewing. In Phase I, New Span Opto-Technology, Inc. has demonstrated a novel concept based on multiple protective mechanisms using photosensitive hybrid-layered structure for threshold-capable broadband sensor/eye protection. We have established the feasibility of broadband protection against high-power nanosecond laser pulses that can be tuned in real time from 400 to 2400 nm. The film-like device with large clear aperture has minimum effect on data capture during the laser exposure, while it provides wide field-of-view protection of almost 180 degrees. The device also has large dynamic range of energy protection against various lasers from low-power CW to high-power pulsed. In Phase II, we will improve our design based on our successful Phase I work, and develop a low-cost, reliable prototype to meet Phase II performance requirements. Another milestone in Phase II is to pass actual field test to support military and civil sensor/eye protection applications.