High-Performance Glassy Liquid Crystal Optical Filters for Laser Protection

Glassy liquid crystals (GLCI represent a new emerging class of advanced organic materials which have significant potential for being readily processed into uniform optical quality thin films. In this proposal, we propose to develop high-performance optical filter and polarizer technology specifically for laser protection applications. The proposed GLC-based optical filters are specifically well suited to fill the technology need for a high-performance, near-infrared rejection filter. Some of the attractive characteristics of GLC-based optical filter technology include: ease of processing, low-cost, large area coverage, potentially durable against cryogenic cycling, high optical densities in the designed rejection band, and excellent transparency at other wavelengths. In the program we propose to investigate the materials and processing technology necessary to fabricate high-performance optical filters. Cornerstone Research Group, Inc. has teamed with the University of Rochester to bring the technology to fruition.