Epitaxial Thermochromic Thin Films for Optical Modulator Applications via CCVD

"The continued proliferation of imaging infrared (IR) missile systems has created the need for fully representative IR scene generators. In order to test these imaging IR systems correctly, a very large dynamic range is required of the scene generator. Thiscan not easily be produced by the standard approach of an array of suspended resistor heater elements. IR optical modulators based on thermal switching property of thermochromic (TC) materials, in particular, vanadium dioxide (VO2) thin films, is apromising alternative to the conventional resistor heater elements. In addition, with the fast increasing need for more energy and the decrease of energy resources, there is also an increasing need for new technologies to reduce energy consumption. TCglazing windows coated with VO2 thin films have been being investigated widely for this application. It is reported that one can lower electricity bill by 30% by using glazing windows in summer time alone and can also save fuels if used for automobiles.Both of the military and civilian applications represent a huge market. Using its innovative, high volume, low cost and open-air Combustion Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) technique, MCT's proposed Phase I program is to deposit dense, single-phase, andepitaxial oxide thin films on single crystal substrates for the optical modulation applications, and to evaluate the materials and thermochromic properties of these films."