SBIR-STTR Award

A proprietary method is analyzed for the refurbishing IRST germanium domes that have been damaged in flight operations in adverse hostile environments which include particulates such as sand, rain., aerosols, etc. The COI technique involves removing the damaged surface and then restoring the domes on a production basis to their original focal length performance specification. Improved coating machine technology is evaluated in the application of Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (ADLC) via a process known as Ion-Assisted Filtered Cathodic Arc, IFCAD, process coating technology to Germanium substrates operating in the 7.5 to 14 micron band. The result is a low cost refurbished dome that has a harder outer coating than the original dome and hence longer expected lifetime. The proposed research will benefit not only government programs but will also benefit existing work currently at Computer Optics Inc. The technology developed under this proposal will have direct application to laser optics, the electric power industry and construction

The result of Phase I is that Computer Optics Inc. successfully designed a process methodology that allows refurbishment of Germanium Domes for the IRST F14 program at a fraction of the cost of an original dome. In addition to performing the process study, COI applied its methodology to a dome that had failed in the field and refurbished it. This dome was delivered as part of the Phase I effort. In Phase II we propose a program that has as its goal the refurbishment of existing non-operational F14 IRST Germanium Domes. In addition to refurbishing the current inventory as a consequence of this Phase II work, at the end of the program, COI will have all of the necessary hardware and expertise to serve as a repair depot for any additional domes that become damaged during service. In addition, the advanced capabilities provided by the Phase II process will allow us to transition into Phase III by offering similar services to other agencies