Preparation and properties of a flexible night vision imaging system filter for avionic LED displays

A flexible near-infrared (NIR) absorption filter well suited for use as a front surface filter for night vision imaging system (NVIS) LED displays was prepared by using a transparent polymer film and acrylic resin as substrate, NIR-dyes NIR787 and NIR860 as functional additives through the solvent mixing method. In particular, this new dye-based NVIS filter material offers sharp spectral cut-off and excellent extinction in the NIR (665–930 nm) along with an appropriate transmittance in the visible spectrum (400–700 nm). The optical performance of the filter was studied, the optimal dosage of NIR787 and NIR860 was determined and the results showed there was a good linear relationship between amount of NIR-dyes and light transmittance. In addition, the filter kept good environmental stability after cyclic humid heat test, high temperature aging test, low temperature aging test and photostability test.