Infrared Window/Dome Refurbishment and Repair
ID: N242-074Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

Infrared Window/Dome Refurbishment and Repair

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608077

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for the topic of "Infrared Window/Dome Refurbishment and Repair" under the SBIR program. The objective is to design and develop methods to refurbish and repair damaged infrared (IR) sensor or missile seeker system windows and domes. These windows and domes are exposed to various degraders in their operational environments, leading to surface damage and degraded optical quality. The goal is to restore the damaged windows and domes to their pristine optical and physical condition.

The solicitation is open to innovative sources and methods for the repair/refurbishment of sapphire, Germanium (Ge), and Silicon (Si) IR windows and domes. The project aims to achieve a final per-unit refurbishment cost not exceeding $30,000 and a project duration of 3 months for flat sapphire windows up to 10 inches in diameter and hemispheric Ge domes up to 9 inches in diameter. The proposed methods should address challenges such as thermal and mechanical stress, separation of repair layers, and impacts to optical performance.

The project will be conducted in three phases. Phase I involves designing and demonstrating the feasibility of novel approaches to repair/refurbish single-boule-grown IR optical windows and domes. Phase II focuses on optimizing the processes developed in Phase I and restoring a scratched, eroded, partially-coated sapphire flat to its original optical quality, strength, and thickness. Phase III involves demonstrating the repair/refurbishment of damaged optical windows or domes provided as government-furnished equipment.

The ability to repair/refurbish optical-grade windows and domes could have a significant impact on various industries, such as grocery store infrastructure suppliers and laboratory-grade sensors, cameras, and laser optics. The solicitation is open until June 12, 2024, and more details can be found on the grants.gov website.

Files
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