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The Ministry of Defence (MOD) and Qioptiq, an Excelitas Technologies Company, are working together to protect against dazzle caused by ‘white light’ sources such as sunlight or headlamp glare as well as narrower sources such as lasers. Traditional laser protection techniques do not block out such light and can leave operators, pilots and drivers vulnerable to the blinding effect of broadband radiation.
(left) Jim Ashe - Ploughshare (right) Steve Rickard– Qioptiq – sign the agreementThe Ploughshare and Qioptiq teams at the Qioptiq facility in North Wales
The MOD’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has signed a licence agreement with global photonics company Qioptiq through technology transfer company Ploughshare Innovations for Qioptiq to commercialise the technology for use across its markets.
The agreement will allow the company access to Dstl’s patented technology, the Optically Addressable Light Valve (OALV), which was invented by Dstl scientist Chris Burgess. OALV uses a layer of liquid crystal in an electro-optical assembly to effectively block sources of glare and dazzle without affecting the remaining field of vision, therefore allowing sensors to remain effective whilst being “dazzled”. This was developed as part of Dstl’s electro-optic protection measures programme, which exists to address the rising laser threat to aircrew and sensors.
Ploughshare Innovations’ Jim Ashe says: “It’s very encouraging to see capability developed from government research which can enable industry to provide protection against intense light sources, such as from laser dazzle and sun-strike.”
Qioptiq will now be considering other situations where the OALV could have benefit, in both military and civilian environments, including potential uses in medical work.
Steve Rickard, Business and Product Development manager, Land Business, Qioptiq added: “The potential integration of Dstl’s technology into our product portfolio presents an exciting development that we may not otherwise have achieved so readily”.
As part of the license agreement, Dstl will continue to provide technical support to Qioptiq as it looks to integrate the OALV technology.
