Durable Anti-Reflective Coatings for Complex Curved Windows

Anti-reflective (AR) coatings are needed for modernized aircraft cockpits utilizing digital electronic color displays. Presently, the effectiveness of the displays are limited by undesirable reflections on interior window surface, making viewing nearly impossible. A protected sol-gel ceramic AR coating will be developed. A modified silica system possessing a graded porous structure will be developed to reduce surface reflection for wavelengths ranging from 300 to 1100 nm to less than 0.5%. Resistance to wear and water absorption of the AR coating will be accomplished by photolytically synthesizing a protective polymer layer over the AR coating. A spray deposition procedure developed by TPL will allow for large, complex surface to be coated uniformly. Navy requirements will be defined. Sol-gel AR coatings will be designed to meet the requirements. Sol-gel and protective polymer coatings will be fabricated and applied to representative substrates. Finally, an assessment of performance capabilities will be made. Extensive experience in sol-gel ceramic processing at TPL, Sandia National Laboratories and the Center for Micro-Engineered Ceramics will be utilized in the development of durable AR coatings which can be applied to complex surfaces.