Manufacturing of Economical IR Windows and Domes

Improvements are broadly needed in the fabrication of infrared (IR) short-wave (SW), mid-wave (MW), and long-wave (LW) windows and domes. However, dwindling domestic manufacturers and limited resources has led to a lack of innovation in the manufacturing of windows and dome as used in the military/defense industry. In this SBIR program, Structured Materials Industries, Inc. (SMI), using its thick film growth and anti-reflection coating processes experience, will produce near net shapes using our proprietary vapor phase approach and process the materials into windows and domes through 10" platform scales. In Phase I, SMI will demonstrate proof of concept flat and shaped materials growth as validated with sample material measurements. In Phase II, SMI will demonstrate an 8" to 10" (minimum) diameter hemispherical dome suitable for use in LWIR optical systems. In Phase III, SMI will commercially provide growth and coating services and hardware technology both as a product and as a licensable operation.