TRIPLET MATERIALS RESEARCH AND EYE-PROTECTIVE SYSTEM.
Abstract
The second prototype model of a 6 x 8-inch photochromic, windshield segment has been developed, tested and delivered to the Air Force. The device is designed to protect Air Force Pilots against flash blindness resulting from viewing nuclear explosions. The reversible photochromic darkening is based upon the absorption of metastable triplet states of aromatic molecules. These compounds are incorporated into a transparent plate of epoxy plastic. Two plates are attached on the outside of a 6 x 8 x 1 1/2-inch quartz block and the triplet states are excited by uv light from two flash lamps. Black-glass filters absorb the visible light from the flash lamps which would otherwise dazzle the pilot. With a 3000J excitation flash the windshield segment darkens from an open-state absorbance of 0.08 to absorbances of 0.89, 1.68, 2.18 and 2.53, respectively, at times of 50, 100, 150 and 500 microseconds after the start of the flash. The open-state transmission, optical quality and rapidity of buildup of absorbance of the present device are greatly improved compared to the performance of the windshield segment developed on the preceding contract. The windshield segment reopens to half the closed-state absorbance in 1.6 seconds. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0676724
Entities
People
- M. W. Windsor
- W. R. Dawson