Low Cost, Wide Band Infrared Window Technologies

Aspen Systems Inc., proposes to investigate the feasibility of developing a protective coating material for ZnS that will have comparable mechanical properties of ALON, Spinel and Sapphire but will retain the extended regime transmission properties of multi-spectral ZnS. However, ZnS being a soft material with relatively poor mechanical strength and erosion resistance, it is essential to develop a suitable protective coating on ZnS. Aspen's Phase I proposal aims to develop an innovative coating design and technique and selecting suitable coating materials for ZnS. Among the very limited choices of coating materials, Aspen Systems Inc., has identified DLC (Diamond like carbon) as a candidate coating material for this phase I program as it has higher mechanical strength, good transparent properties and desirable characteristics in the infrared region. Aspen plans to develop optical quality diamond-like coating (DLC) over ZnS using state of the art coating technique. Optimization of deposition parameters and characterization of coating including hardness, optical properties and its thermal stability for the coating will be critically evaluated during this investigation