Diffuser-based Scene Combiner (DiSC)

The Diffuser-based Scene Combiner (DiSC) is designed to meet the U.S. Air Force Test Center (AFTC) need for a high-quality diffuser screen that can operate through the infrared (IR) imaging spectrum, performing within specification both at normal temperature and pressure and under cryovacuum conditions as extreme as a temperature of 20 K and a pressure <1 µTorr. Under development at Luminit Government Services, LLC (LGS), the DiSC is based on the commercially-available Light Shaping Diffusers®, developed at our parent company, Luminit, LLC. During this project, LGS will develop computer models for the DiSC to select screen substrate materials and optimize the diffuser pattern for use in the IR. In preliminary work we demonstrated the capabilities of the reflective diffuser screen; in this project we will begin development of a transmissive screen. The final DiSC will be capable of combining several images in the IR, maintaining the image quality, and directing the output through a beam expander/collimator to a sensor being tested in the cryovacuum chamber, while meeting imaging requirements of high-resolution sensor systems.