Multilayer nanostructured coatings with non-linear optical response for manipulation of high energy coherent beams

To maximize our military effectiveness, the US must maintain an asymmetric advantage with its next generation technology and weapons. Directed energy weapons such as lasers are one class of weapons in which the US can maintain this advantage by also developing advanced laser defense technology. This proposal builds on our Phase I results using reflective optical limiter coatings which mitigate laser damage and exhibit a high damage tolerance. These coatings are non-sacrificial as they do not absorb the light like most optical limiters and are also multifunctional as they enable transmission of low intensity wavelengths within the reflective band. The proposed Phase II work will investigate process optimization to yield optical limiters which will be tailored to function against common laser wavelengths across the Vis, NIR, and mid IR. In addition, the work will seek to develop broadband reflectors which can protect against numerous wavelengths within a single coating. Finally, a combined modeling and experimental approach will be utilized to investigate the capability of enabling low intensity transmission for multiple wavelengths and embedded transmission in the broadband reflectors. The coatings will be deposited utilizing combinations of PVD and CVD techniques and evaluated using state of the art characterization facilities.