USA flag logo/image

An Official Website of the United States Government

Self-Assembled Nanoporous Anti-Reflective Coatings for Image Intensifier Tubes

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
67482 		Program Year/Program:
2004 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F041-057-0696 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
NanoSonic, Inc.
158 Wheatland Drive Pembroke, VA -
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2004
Title: Self-Assembled Nanoporous Anti-Reflective Coatings for Image Intensifier Tubes
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA8650-04-M-6487
Award Amount: $100,000.00
 

Abstract:

The proposed Air Force SBIR program would develop antireflective coatings for image intensifier tube faceplates. Such coatings would improve the performance of military night vision devices by allowing more light to enter the image intensifier tube and simultaneously reducing the "veiling luminance" caused by light scattering. NanoSonic Inc. has extensive experience in the manufacturing of thin film coatings using electrostatic self-assembly (ESA). The ESA process, licensed by NanoSonic, is a low cost and environmentally benign process allowing deliberate control of film properties at the molecular level. Recently, NanoSonic researchers have successfully applied ESA to prepare nanoporous films having effective refractive indices in the range of 1.2 to 1.5. Due to their low and controllable refractive indices, such materials are ideal for use in antireflective coatings. Moreover, ESA is an ideal process for fabricating low index AR coatings directly on the faceplates of fully assembled image intensifier tubes. During Phase I NanoSonic would; apply various methods to fabricate nanoporous films and evaluate their optical and mechanical properties; develop and apply theoretical analysis capabilities to evaluate coating effects on image intensifier tube performance; and demonstrate design feasibility, including fabrication of prototype coatings, and estimation of life cycle cost.

Principal Investigator:

Sabrina Hannah
Research Scientist
5409531782
shannah@nanosonic.com

Business Contact:

Richard O. Claus
President
5409531785
roclaus@nanosonic.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

NANOSONIC, INC.
P.O. Box 618 Christiansburg, VA 24068

EIN/Tax ID: 541877635
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No