Diffuse Screens for Dynamic Infrared Scene Projector Systems

Under this SBIR project, SRICO is developing mid-wave infrared (MWIR) and long wave infrared (LWIR) diffuse screen technology for the purpose of combining infrared projection technologies into a hybrid system for imaging sensor testing. The technology allows for a combination of resolved and unresolved targets at a variety of wavelengths. With the proposed technology, the diffuse screen can be specifically engineered to present a desired spatial resolution, while shaping and directing the resultant angular profile for objects at multiple angles of incidence and numerical apertures in the field. The proposed diffuse screen is rigidly constructed from thermo-mechanically matched metal and dielectric materials to minimize temperature dependence and to prevent warping in cryo-vacuum environments. High quality inorganic material composition ensures resistance to moisture in the ambient environment and low-outgassing in cryo-vacuum environments. Phase I efforts demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed technology to produce diffuse MWIR screens 5 cm x 5 cm in size. Under this Phase II proposal, the technology will be extended to address LWIR wavelengths and screen size of 10 cm x 10 cm. Both reflection and transmission type screens will be developed. The diffuse screen technology has direct application in hybrid infrared scene projection systems as well as in hyperspectral imaging systems, such as for satellite and astronomical telescope imaging.