High-durability infrared transparent coatings

Lee M. Goldman; Randal W. Tustison

doi:10.1117/12.187353

28 September 1994 High-durability infrared transparent coatings

Lee M. Goldman, Randal W. Tustison

Proceedings Volume 2286, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials IV; (1994) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187353
Event: SPIE's 1994 International Symposium on Optics, Imaging, and Instrumentation, 1994, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

LWIR windows are exposed to harsh conditions during high speed flight. These include high speed rain drop impact, sand abrasion, corrosion, and aerothermodynamic load. With the possible exception of diamond, there are no LWIR transparent window/dome materials which can withstand these various environments. Rain erosion protective (REP) and oxide based abrasion resistant/oxidation resistant durable antireflection (DAR) coatings have been developed for LWIR applications. These coatings have demonstrated a substantial degree of raindrop impact protection (i.e., damage threshold velocities of approximately Mach 1, for 2 mm equivalent waterdrop impacts at normal incidence). The combination of REP + DAR coating have also demonstrated excellent resistance to sand abrasion in simulated flight environments. The high degree of abrasion resistance makes the DAR coatings applicable to ground based systems, using ZnS and ZnSe, windows as well. An additional advantage of the Raytheon REP + DAR combination is that they are transparent from the visible to the LWIR (8 to 12 mm), making them suitable for applications requiring broadband transparency. Furthermore, the DAR coatings have protected ZnS substrates from oxidation at temperatures up to 1000 degree(s)C. The combination of ZnS REP coating and DAR coating are ideally suited for protecting high speed LWIR missiles from rain and sand damage during captive carry, as well as protecting the dome/window from oxidation during high speed flight. Data are presented to demonstrate the rain/sand and oxidation protection provided by these coatings. The REP and DAR coatings have been scaled up to coat windows and domes for far infrared applications.

Citation Download Citation

Lee M. Goldman and Randal W. Tustison "High-durability infrared transparent coatings", Proc. SPIE 2286, Window and Dome Technologies and Materials IV, (28 September 1994); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.187353

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available