Tunable optical filter using phase change materials for smart IR night vision applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optical Engineering
• Photonics

Background:

• Night vision technology often relies on specific illumination wavelengths, such as 850nm.
• Existing filters may lack tunability, limiting their adaptability to varying conditions.
• Phase change materials offer dynamic optical properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel tunable filter for night vision applications.
• To demonstrate the selective rejection of the 850nm illumination band.
• To showcase the filter's utility in daytime and nighttime imaging.

Main Methods:

• Design of a metal-insulator-metal (MIM) resonant cavity filter.
• Utilizing Germanium-Antimony-Selenium-Tellurium (GSST) as the phase change material.
• Operating the filter in reflection mode for selective wavelength rejection.

Main Results:

• The GSST-based MIM filter exhibits tunable properties.
• The filter effectively rejects the 850nm wavelength in a specific state.
• Demonstrated performance in simulated daytime and nighttime imaging scenarios.

Conclusions:

• The tunable GSST filter is a promising solution for night vision.
• Selective 850nm band rejection enhances imaging quality and adaptability.
• The filter design offers potential for advanced optical sensing applications.