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Completed TRL 1 (started at 1, targeting 1)
Develop nanocomposite materials with tuned refractive index in the near infra red spectral range as an index-matched immersion lens for high resolution infra-red detectors. By optically contacting an anti-reflection lens to the detector, the full range of incidence angles in vacuum map into a relatively narrow range of angles in the detector. This increases the signal by a factor of n2 without increasing noise and reduces observing time by a factor of n4.
The tasks include researching polymer epoxy materials with low CTE that can be mixed with non polar solvents; research nano-particle materials with high index of refraction and develop methods for mixing with polymer matrix without agglomeration. Procure candidate materials Select composite materials Fabricate test samples Optical testing CTE testing Refractive index as a function of filling factor will be measured with FTS.
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