Light, Compact, Holographic Window for Exo-Atmospheric Seekers

Key optical components for an innovative, infrared/visible seeker design for a hypervelocity exo-atmospheric homing interceptor are being developed. The principle innovation involves the use of specially designed optical windows integrated with holographic optical elements (HOEs) and binary optical elements (BOEs) to provide a light weight, small volume, zoom capable, imaging system which takes advantage of the color separating properties of HOEs to improve the efficency of the sensor and to enhance discrimination of targets, background, clutter and decoys. Holographic windows would replace large and heavy optics currently used in seekers. They will provide the capability of zooming at the target, correcting for shocks and other aero-optics aberrations, and chromatic aberrations. These windows may be combined and dispersed within a radar antenna to form a compact, dual mode seeker. These holographic optical elements could represent the next generation window for both exo- and endatmospheric seekers.