Superhydrophobic surface in thermal infrared imaging device
Various techniques are provided for preventing excessive accumulation of moisture onto a surface of an optical component of an imaging device. In one example, a method includes providing a bulk layer of an optical component of a thermal imaging system, wherein the bulk layer is configured to pass thermal radiation. The method further includes depositing a diamond like coating (DLC) to provide an external surface of the optical component, wherein the DLC exhibits a resistance to abrasion. The method further includes forming a plurality of nanostructures in the optical component, wherein the nanostructures exhibit a superhydrophobic property to prevent excessive moisture accumulation on the external surface of the optical component. Additional methods and systems are also provided.
1 . A method comprising:
providing a bulk layer of an optical component of a thermal imaging system, wherein the bulk layer is configured to pass thermal radiation;
depositing a diamond like coating (DLC) to provide an external surface of the optical component;
forming a plurality of nanostructures within the DLC, wherein the nanostructures exhibit a superhydrophobic property to reduce moisture accumulation on the external surface of the optical component; and
wherein the nanostructures are stochastic texture nanostructures that have a texture roughness (Ra) of less than 100 nanometers to improve transmission and reduce scattering of the thermal radiation.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
prior to depositing the DLC, depositing an antireflective (AR) index-matching coating onto the bulk layer to reduce broadband reflections; and
wherein the DLC is deposited onto the AR index-matching coating.
3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the AR layer is a substantially planar surface.
4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising forming an additional plurality of nanostructures on a housing of the thermal imaging system.
5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the optical component is a lens element and/or a window.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein:
the forming is performed using a laser, etching, forging, and/or stamping; and
the depositing is performed using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) cathodic arc process, a PVD sputtering process, and/or a Plasma-assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (PACVD) process.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures are structured texture nanostructures that have a peak-to-peak or valley-to-valley pitch of 2-4 micrometers and a peak-to-valley height of 1-5 micrometers to improve antireflective properties.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising capturing a thermal image in response to the thermal radiation passed by the optical component.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the nanostructures are formed exclusively within the DLC.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the DLC comprises a continuous surface.
11 . A thermal imaging system comprising:
an optical component comprising:
a bulk layer configured to pass thermal radiation;
a diamond like coating (DLC) deposited to provide an external surface of the optical component;
a plurality of nanostructures formed within the DLC, the plurality of nanostructures exhibiting a superhydrophobic property to reduce moisture accumulation on the external surface of the optical component; and
wherein the nanostructures are stochastic texture nanostructures that have a texture roughness (Ra) of less than 100 nanometers to improve transmission and reduce scattering of the thermal radiation.
12 . The system of claim 11 , wherein:
the optical component further comprises an antireflective (AR) index-matching coating deposited on the bulk layer to reduce broadband reflections; and
the DLC is deposited onto the AR index-matching coating.
13 . The system of claim 12 , wherein the AR layer is a substantially planar surface.
14 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a housing comprising an additional plurality of nanostructures.
15 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the optical component is a lens element and/or a window.
16 . The system of claim 11 , wherein:
the nanostructures are formed using a laser, etching, forging, and/or stamping; and
the DLC is deposited using a Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) cathodic arc process, a PVD sputtering process, and/or a Plasma-assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition (PACVD) process.
17 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the nanostructures are structured texture nanostructures that have a peak-to-peak or valley-to-valley pitch of 2-4 micrometers and a peak-to-valley height of 1-5 micrometers to improve antireflective properties.
18 . The system of claim 11 , further comprising a thermal imager configured to capture a thermal image in response to the thermal radiation passed by the optical component.
19 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the nanostructures are formed exclusively within the DLC.
20 . The system of claim 11 , wherein the DLC comprises a continuous surface.