A comparison between phosphors for aviator's night vision imaging system

Area of Science:

• Optics and Photonics
• Human Factors Engineering
• Military Technology

Background:

• Current night vision goggles (NVG) utilize green, isochromatic P22 phosphor displays.
• Future NVG systems may incorporate P43 phosphor, offering a narrower, yellowish-green spectrum.
• Transitional NVG systems might pair P22 and P43 phosphors within the same unit.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the performance and suitability of the P43 phosphor for NVG applications.
• To assess the impact of mixing P22 and P43 phosphors in a single NVG unit on user performance.

Main Methods:

• Three NVG systems were tested: P22-only, P43-only, and a mixed P22/P43 system.
• Six subjects were evaluated on visual acuity (VA), contrast sensitivity (CS), flicker sensitivity, and dynamic CS.
• Performance metrics were measured across simulated night sky conditions for all three systems.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in VA or CS were observed between P22, P43, and mixed systems under various lighting conditions.
• Flicker sensitivity remained consistent across all tested NVG systems.
• Dynamic CS performance was marginally superior with the P43 phosphor, potentially due to its faster decay time.

Conclusions:

• The P43 phosphor is a viable option for NVG, whether used alone or paired.
• Minimizing the mixing of P22 and P43 phosphors within a single NVG is advisable.
• Further research should consider additional factors influencing performance with different NVG color displays.