Development of Nanostructured Antireflection Coatings Technology for UV and IR Bands for Improved Detector Array and Sensor Performance

Future NASA missions that include Earth Science and Planetary Science missions will benefit from the development of nanostructured antireflection (AR) coatings. Broadband AR optical coatings covering the infrared (IR) and ultraviolet (UV) spectral bands have many potential applications for various NASA systems. Tunable nanoengineered optical layers enable realization of optimal nanostructured AR coatings with high laser damage thresholds and high reliability in low temperature environments. The AR coatings offer omnidirectional suppression of light reflection/scattering allowing increased optical transmission to enhance detector and system performance for various NASA applications. Phase I AR coating designs and prototype demonstrations promise to nearly eliminate reflection losses across critical IR and UV bands. Key technical accomplishments of the Phase I effort include: Designed high-performance MWIR and extended MWIR / SWIR AR coatings for GaSb, Designed high-performance LWIR AR coatings for GaSb, Designed high-performance UV AR coatings for GaN, and Demonstrated high-performance MWIR AR coatings on GaSb. The proposed Phase II Program technical objectives are to design, develop, demonstrate, and implement high-performance nanostructured AR coatings. Phase II technical objectives include: Demonstrate high-performance SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR AR coatings on GaSb and Si substrates, Demonstrate nanostructured UV AR coatings on III-V nitride substrates, Characterize the durability of nanostructured AR coatings, Design and demonstrate nanostructured AR coatings on SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR lens materials, and Design and develop nanostructured AR coatings for NASA sensor system technologies. Magnolia's AR coatings will enhance the performance of detectors and sensors by significantly reducing reflection/scattering losses. This will benefit a wide variety of detectors and sensors for future NASA missions.

Optical coating technologies for UV and IR spectral bands are very useful for NASA missions. The antireflection optical coatings technology will improve detector and sensor performance by minimizing reflection/scattering losses to around 1% from around 25-30% for uncoated devices and sensors. Thus, Magnolia’s nanostructured AR coatings offer exciting possibilities for enhanced UV/IR sensor signal-to-noise ratios and fast response times providing substantial benefits for NASA applications.

The nanostructured antireflection coating technology being developed by Magnolia can benefit optical components such as: lenses, optical windows; opto-electronic devices for sensors, photovoltaic panels; and electronic displays in smartphone and tablet devices. The market for commercial UV and IR sensors is expected to grow rapidly over the next 10 years. Magnolia is exploring these applications.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.