SBIR-STTR Award

Recent studies have demonstrated that user error can be reduced when using night vision goggle if the user's field of view and resolution is increased. Efforts to provide a wide viewing field with traditional approaches have led to complex and expensive wide angle or multiple lens/tube designs making them impractical for field applications. There is a need for an approach which can provide an alternative solution to the problem. Diffraction LTD proposes an innovative approach which will use Liquid Crystal Switches (LCS) to achieve a wide angle single lens and tube night vision goggle. The proposed approach will time multiplex three views through a single imaging lens and intensifier tube. This will be achieved by using an innovative electronically addressable broad band non-polarized splitter which will be placed in front of the primary imaging lens directing three images from different viewpoints in a time sequence (on axis) through a single lens and intensifier tube. The images are sent (one at a time) through the lens and tube and re-assembled to the appropriate position to the eyepiece at a high repetition rate providing a multiplexed wide field image to the user