HIGH PERFORMANCE OPTICAL COATINGS FOR SILICON CARBIDE ADVANCED SEEKER SYSTEMS

The integration of ranging and imaging LADAR and combined passive IR and visible imaging in future seeker instruments will require two critical changes to the optics: (1) the use of alternative optical materials to enable visible quality optical performance, and (2) high energy, low stress induced, low absorptive laser coatings with very high reflectance at the LADAR wavelength and additionally acceptable performance for IR and visible wave bands. The high reflectance coatings also need to be survivable to advanced nuclear environment, as well as be very durable to maintain performance over long-term storage in a silo. Phase 1 will build on previous SBIR activities to demonstrate high performance coatings on SiC optics that providing high reflectivity over critical wavelength bands, high laser damage threshold at the LADAR wavelength, as well as characteristics of radiation hardness. A series of SiC samples will be prepared with optical coatings and tested for optical properties and laser damage threshold; a test plan will be developed for radiation hardness. In Phase 2, SSGPO will work with a Prime contractor to demonstrate these coatings on an advanced seeker prototype system.