Tunable Infrared Transparent Adhesive

A significant effort has been placed on development of next generation mid-wave (MWIR) and long-wave infrared (LWIR) imaging and sensor systems to maximize soldier situational awareness, survivability, and lethality.  MWIR and LWIR are combined to maximize electromagnetic spectrum information regarding black body radiation from an object or person.  Many infrared optical elements and materials are often extremely expensive and require great care when manufacturing and integrating into IR based-sensing system. As such, new materials are currently being developed and evaluated for integration into these imaging systems to ease these cost and logistical burdens.  An effective IR transparent adhesive could greatly benefit these IR material development and integration efforts; however, one does not currently exist.  Lynntech proposes a novel development strategy to produce a highly IR transparent, thermally stable, and tunable adhesive for bonding of IR materials and IR optical elements to assist in the development and production of next generation infrared sensing systems.