N88-031 - Holographic Real Image Targets and Countermeasures - Physical Optics Corporation - Phase III Success Story

N88-031 - Holographic Real Image Targets and Countermeasures - Physical Optics Corporation - Phase III Success Story


Holographic Real Image Targets and CountermeasuresNavy Topic#: N88-031Sponsor/Monitor: MARCOR Physical Optics Corporation(Website)20600 Gramercy Place, Building 100Torrance, CA 90501Gajendra Savant, Ph.D.(Email)(310) 320-3088

Holographic Real Image Targets and Countermeasures
This Phase II program resulted in an entirely new process for producing uniform and virtually defect free large Photoresist Holographic Coatings (PHC) for applications ranging from military decoys and countermeasure systems to large scale 2-D and 3-D commercial displays. This process allows for holographic recording and mass-replication of various surface microstructures, and has been a gateway for Physical Optics Corporation (POC) entry into a large display arena. Based on this enabling program, POC developed full scale mass-production and testing facilities that now produce products that are sold around the world.
The PHC technology enables mass-production of unique large size optical components and screens, and brings strong performance advantages to military visualization systems at a substantially reduced cost. It also provides new capabilities for producing large-scale military decoys and countermeasures.
The PHC technology enables low-cost manufacturing of large size high-brightness viewing screens for military simulators, information displays, and training systems.
This technology can produce unique 2-D and 3-D decoys and countermeasures that operate in the spectral range from UV to near IR.
It also provides means for achieving sophisticated displays for advanced simulators, and surveillance applications.
POC's PHC approach is designed for low-cost mass production, and can substantially lower the cost of virtually all military visualization systems.

The PHC technology has very broad applications in both the government and commercial sectors, and its related markets exceed $1 billion annually. These applications center around imaging screens, computer displays, and visualization systems, including unique military countermeasures and camouflage systems. Specific applications include:
2-D and 3-D viewing screens, flat panel displays, computer and workstation screens, and other visualization systems.
High resolution gratings and holographic optical elements for spectroscopy, lighting, robotics, and various optoelectronic instruments.
Military decoys, camouflage systems, cockpit displays, head-mounted displays, advanced countermeasures, invisible lidars, range finders, and military optics.

Because of strong market demand, POC focused its near-term productization efforts on large display applications. This project contributed to the development of a new process that was critical for launching a new production line at POC. This project was also very helpful to POC in raising its venture capital investment, which was utilized to establish special facilities for mass-replication and testing. This line is currently producing a variety of displays and screens that are being shipped to hundreds of customers worldwide. It has already produced over $5 million in commercial sales, and is providing employment to 20 members of the POC staff. The customers include major U.S. and Japanese corporations, and a variety of distributors are selling POC products to OEMs in the U.S. and Europe. POC has delivered thousands of its holographic screens to major military prime contractors for use in computer displays and visualization systems.