Infrared window damage measured by reflective scatter

Marvin L. Bernt; John C. Stover

doi:10.1117/12.50495

1 December 1991 Infrared window damage measured by reflective scatter

Marvin L. Bernt, John C. Stover

Proceedings Volume 1530, Optical Scatter: Applications, Measurement, and Theory; (1991) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.50495
Event: San Diego, '91, 1991, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

It has been demonstrated that erosion of sensor window surfaces can be measured on the flight line with reflective scatter instrumentation. At issue is the relationship between these damage sensitive measurements and the corresponding loss of system performance. Rain and sand erosion of IR sensor windows can limit system performance in three ways. In the case of IRST's, background scatter from window defects increases the system noise floor which limits range. Image resolution degrades in FLIR instrumentation as window erosion increases. Finally for both systems, severe damage can cause window breakage resulting in loss of the sensor system and possibly the aircraft. This paper reports the results of initial studies that correlate reflective scatter measurements to the loss of mid-IR performance. High angle and near angle transmissive scatter from window damage are responsible for different types of system degradation. Both are studied and related to reflective scatter measurements.

Citation Download Citation

Marvin L. Bernt and John C. Stover "Infrared window damage measured by reflective scatter", Proc. SPIE 1530, Optical Scatter: Applications, Measurement, and Theory, (1 December 1991); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.50495

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