Analysis and Evaluation of Technical Data on the Photochromic and Non-Linear Optical Properties of Materials. Appendix. Eye/Sensor Protection by an Optical Fuse Mirror at a Focal Plane: Feasibility Assessment
Abstract
A possible approach to protecting eyes and electrooptical sensors is to use a device having a focal plane with an optical switch or optical fuse at or near the focus. The fuse could be manually reset to a fresh undamaged section following its failure. A variety of optical fuse concepts using a focal plane may be envisioned. One such system employs a thin metal reflector at the focal plane which reflects the image to another optic which reimages the light on the eye. The thin reflector is designed to ablate at a threshold below that which is damaging to the eye, dumping the laser energy behind the destroyed mirror. When the threat has subsided, the optical fuse/mirror may be manually repositioned to a fresh reflective surface. In order for a mirror to serve as a suitable optical fuse for eye protection, it must fail at energy densities lower than the damage threshold of the retina. The system described in this report appear to be borderline feasible for the protection of eyes from pulsed laser radiation if an optical system with a focal plane having a gain of ca. 100,000 or greater were acceptable. The proposed concept using a rapidly decomposing polymer or inorganic crystal coating supporting the reflective mirror layer on a substrate should be investigated further with specific materials and their properties included in the analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 07, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA214051
Entities
People
- Robert F. Cozzens
Organizations
- George Mason University