Search
Menu

Dynasil Develops Thin-Film Coatings for Military

Facebook X LinkedIn Email
Optics developer Dynasil Corp. of America has completed the development of its first IR high-efficiency anti-reflective (HEAR) thin-film coatings for the 8- to 12-μm spectral region.

"We are very excited about this collaborative success between our EMF and optometrics subsidiaries,” said Peter Sulick, CEO and president of Dynasil. “This milestone positions Dynasil as a premier resource for military, homeland security and commercial IR optical system integrators. The team of experts working on this effort [has] many years of experience directly related to the optimization of IR thin-film coatings, components and assemblies."

HEAR thin-film coatings are used to maximize the transmission through otherwise low transmission lens and window materials used in this spectral region. Optimizing this performance increases detection sensitivity. These coatings have been designed to withstand environmental conditions including water solubility, abrasion and humidity. Dynasil estimates the addressable market for this segment of the photonics industry at approximately $100 million and growing at a compound annual growth rate of approximately 7.5 percent/year.

"Our initial offering of an optical coating which provides <0.3 percent average reflection is only the beginning of our developing capabilities planned for the IR optics market," said Gary Bishop, executive vice president of Dynasil Photonics. "We are leveraging our existing expertise and capacity in optical thin-film coatings, while hiring additional key industry talent and making strategic capital investments. The addition of diamond-like carbon coatings are also on track to begin before mid-year. Dynasil anticipates offering a selection of these products direct to end users through its recently launched ecommerce website."

Diamond-like carbon coatings are applied to the exterior window surface of a lens assembly. When combining them with HEAR coatings on an optic, both lens efficiency optimization and environmental protection are achieved. Diamond-like coatings will exceed the sand-water slurry wiper test required by many military and commercial products designed for air, ground and at sea applications.

Dynasil develops and manufactures optics and photonics products, optical detection and analysis technology and components for the homeland security, medical and industrial markets.


Published: February 2018
BusinessDynasilMaterialsthin-filmCoatingsdefenseAmericaslight speed

We use cookies to improve user experience and analyze our website traffic as stated in our Privacy Policy. By using this website, you agree to the use of cookies unless you have disabled them.