Remote sensing systems of various kinds are the most widely used tools for acquiring information within all areas of our life. However, those optical sensors, cameras and imaging systems are susceptible to blindness and/or damages due to high power signal entering their optics. This paper presents a family of non-linear, solid-state passive wideband smart protection filters. These filters have advantages over fixed spectral filters, which permanently block only specific wavelengths, in that the wideband filter is transparent at all wavelengths until it is hit by damaging light. At input powers below threshold, the filter has high transmission over the whole spectral band. However, when the input power exceeds the threshold power, transmission is decreased dramatically. We present a novel technology for protection of any imaging system, sensors and the human eye against sun blindness as well as laser threats from the visible and up to the infrared (IR).
Quantum field is back at the headlines with several research areas such as: quantum sensing, quantum communication, quantum cryptography and quantum computing. A novel concept of a computer exploiting quantum confinement and nonlinear optics is the basis of an EC H2020 consortium named COPAC [1,2,3]. We joined this consortium which uses the dynamic response of assembled nanostructures in solid arrays short laser pulses and implement a novel paradigm for parallel information processing. Within current paper we will discuss the nanostructures materials and configurations as designed for the project, especially the interaction of the nanostructures with the addressing laser beam unit.
KEYWORDS: Molecules, Optical filters, Signal attenuation, Molecular lasers, Transmittance, Sensors, Molecular energy transfer, Optical sensors, High power lasers, Photons
Optical systems are susceptible to saturation or damage caused by high power lasers. The major issue is to find a mechanism to protect from laser threats without interfering with the optical system performances. This paper presents a new approach in exploiting the laser energy itself to enable a dynamic response of a protection filter. We discuss an up conversion mechanism in which two or more photons of the threatening laser are absorbed by an up converting molecule following an energy transfer to a molecule that is able to change its absorption spectra and absorb in that laser wavelength range, thus creating a dynamic filter limiting high power lasers while allowing high transmittance for low intensity light.
Quantum computation uses qubit in superposition and entanglement states providing more sophisticated computation ability regarding today’s computers. For that purpose of developing a novel computer concept exploiting quantum dynamics at the nanoscale, we joined an EC H2020 program consortium named COPAC [1]. We propose to analyze the nonlinear 2 dimensional optical response of assembled nanostructures in solid arrays to a sequence of short laser pulses. Based on 2D maps of the stimulated emission we implement a novel paradigm for parallel information processing. Within the COPAC project, we, in KiloLambda, will develop the device nanostructure and engineering design.
Aviation, commercial and military, is new area in optics that is suffering from laser threats in the last years. Dazzling
and damage to pilot's eyes by laser pointers is a common threat lately. Under certain conditions, laser light, directed at
aircraft can be hazardous. The most likely scenario is when bright visible laser light causes distraction and/or temporary
flash blindness to the pilot, during a critical phase of flight like landing or takeoff. It is also possible, that a visible or
invisible beam could cause permanent damage to a pilot's eyes. This paper presents a novel technology for protection of
the human eye against laser threats in the visible range.
Augmented reality (AR) is a live direct or indirect view of a physical, real-world environment whose elements augmented (or supplemented) by computer-generated sensory input such as sound, video, graphics or GPS data. As a result, the technology functions by enhancing one’s current perception of reality. Artificial information about the environment and its objects can be overlaid on the real world, using a special optics and display. When using such a device at a very bright day, the display image risks vanishing due to the sun illumination. However, at a very cloudy day, one needs all the light to pass through the display to the user eye. The need to control the amount of sunlight passes through the AR device in a passive way was the trigger for our effort in developing Dynamic Sunlight Filter (DSF™). DSF™ is a passive solution which is dedicated to regulate sunlight overpower events.
A typical Head Mounted Display (HMD) has either one or two small displays with relevant optics embedded in a helmet,
eye-glasses (also known as data glasses) or visor. See-through HMDs provide the ability of superimposed the generated
image on a real-world view. When using a see-through HMD at a very bright day, the display image risks vanishing due
to the sun illumination. However, at a very cloudy day, one needs all the light to pass through the display to the user eye.
The need to control the amount of sunlight passes through the HMD in a passive way was the trigger for our effort in
developing Dynamic Sunlight Filter (DSF™). DSF™ is a passive solution which is dedicated to regulate sunlight
overpower events.
In see-through HMD the background illumination is a crucial factor, which influences the ability of viewing the display.
When using the HMD at a very bright day, the display image risks vanishing due to sun illumination. However, at a very
cloudy day, one needs all the light to pass through the display to the user’s eye. The need for a better light control was
our trigger for developing a Dynamic Sunlight Filter (DSF), which is a passive solution dedicated to regulate sunlight
overpower events.
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