The Navy requires an innovative material solution for new large aperture, wide spectral band head window for High Energy Lasers (HEL). The head window must be larger than 12 inch in diameter, provide high transmission across a wide spectral band (visible to MWIR), compatible with anti-reflection coatings (ARC) and possess water shedding or hydrophobicity properties. At present, there are no commercially available materials capable of meeting the high strength and extreme low loss required for the head window. TIPD, LLC proposes to develop a new, environment-friendly, wide spectral band, high optical transmission, and high strength hydrophobic submarine beam director head window material based on novel germanate glasses with nanostructured random antireflection coating (RAR) coating providing hydrophobic and non-fouling properties that will meet all Navys requirements. The Phase I program will demonstrate the feasibility of developing the novel material by producing and testing optical and mechanical properties of the developed samples.
Benefit: The potential revenue from commercialization of the wide-band high strength germanate window for could be significant if TIPD is able to transfer to concepts to other markets. The technology can be used in the defense, imaging, medical, and remote sensing applications. The low cost and improved performances over existing optical windows offers TIPD a significant competitive advantage. The largest market for the broadband windows will be the DOD and its suppliers. The US Navy, US Army and US Air Force all have active programs in high energy lasers (HEL). The total number of DOD installations can be estimated to be 3,000 4,000 over a five to ten year period. The scientific, industrial and medical markets are composed of a large number of diverse applications but its size is probably approximately one-third to one-half the same size as the defense market.
Keywords: LASER, LASER, hydrophobic, optical, reflection, transmission, and Infrared., window
