Miniature Laser Discrimination Device Using Holographic Bandpass Filters

In order to fully utilize the discrimination capability of IR upconverting phosphors, Physical Optics Corproation (POC) proposes to design and fabricate a new laser discrimination device (LDD). The key elements of the proposed device are two holographic bandpass filters tuned to luminescent spectra simulated by wavelength = 1.06 micrometers and wavelength = 10.6 micrometers radiation, respectively. Such an effective separation also permits an increase in the device's discrimination capability in the presence of strong background radiation. The most efficient phosphors will be selected to form a phosphorous compound film (PCF) to be used in the proposed LDD. The device will be extemely compact, lightweight and inexpensive. Its elements require low risk technology which makes it feasible to demonstrate a breadboard prototype device at the end of the Phase I program.