Thermal Imaging and Clandestine Surveillance using Low-Cost Polymers with Long-Wave Infrared Transparency
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(Published version)
Date
2023
Authors
Tonkin, S.J.
Pham, L.N.
Gascooke, J.R.
Johnston, M.R.
Coote, M.L.
Gibson, C.T.
Chalker, J.M.
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Journal article
Citation
Advanced Optical Materials, 2023; 11(16):2300058-1-2300058-7
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Samuel J. Tonkin, Le Nhan Pham, Jason R. Gascooke, Martin R. Johnston, Michelle L. Coote, Christopher T. Gibson, and Justin M. Chalker
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Abstract
With increasing use of infrared imaging in medical diagnostics, military and civilian surveillance, and navigation of autonomous vehicles, there is a need for low‐cost alternatives to traditional materials used in infrared optics such as germanium. Sulfur‐rich copolymers hold promise, as they are made from low‐cost feedstocks and have a high refractive index. In this report, cyclopentadiene is copolymerized with sulfur to provide a plastic with the highest long‐wave infrared transparency reported to date for this class of materials. Diverse lens architectures are accessible through melt casting or reactive injection molding. The featured copolymer is black, which enabled its use as an infrared‐transparent blind for protection of thermal imaging equipment and clandestine surveillance. These findings portend expanded use of sulfur copolymers in infrared optics.
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Published online: May 24, 2023
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© 2023 The Authors. Advanced Optical Materials published by Wiley-VCH GmbH. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.