Advanced Research & Development

Luminit‘s state-of-the-art R&D department is engaged in SBIR and other government funded advanced research projects . In existence for over 15 years, the scientists and engineers are continually expanding the frontiers of holographic, optical, communication, memory and SolGel technologies. There is a substantial carry-over of these technologies and patents into Luminit’s commercial products.

Luminit is developing a new Viewbox Enhanced Waveguided (VIEW) HMD technology based on a waveguided holographic optical element (HOE) for the off-axis image projection of a high-resolution microdisplay through a thin plastic visor as a waveguide. This VIEW-HMD will display color imagery over a field-of-view of more than 40 degrees with a large eye motion (>10mm), and see-through capability.

Luminit is developing a new low-cost, lightweight, and flexible Organically Modified Sol-gel (ORMSOL) nanocomposite material to replace heavy bulletproof glass in transparent ballistic window structures. This nancomposite has excellent optical properties, thermal stability, durability, and flexibility, as well as excellent ballistic performance at a reduced weight compared with current glass/polycarbonate backing material. ORMSOL can be cast to form parts in a variety of shapes and thickness and with the desired mechanical, thermal, and optical properties.

Luminit scientists developed Holographic Collimating Display Screens (HCDS) for rear projection flight simulators. This collimated viewing screen maintains the eye box viewing zone, and greatly expands the viewer’s depth perception. With HCDS, the viewer is completely immersed in the scene as an active participant. The Laser Projection Diffuser (LPD™) is used to diffuse laser light, and the CDS screen is wavelength matched to the RGB projection lasers.

Luminit scientists are developing a new holographic water droplet size measurement system with high-resolution and highly sensitive photothermoplastic recording material for the hologram and a high-speed and high-resolution CMOS camera for image recording and processing. The holograms record in real time.

Luminit scientists developed a new low- and high-resolution near-infrared Bragg-grating sky light analyzer based on a thick holographic dispersing element with optical properties optimized for oxygen A-band sky light spectroscopy.

Luminit scientists developed a new Battlefield Laser Detection (BLaD) sensor based on a nano‑structured two‑dimensional array of multiplexed angle‑ and wavelength‑selective holographic optical elements. Only one of 7776 multiplexed holograms responds to the particular laser wavelength coming from a particular direction by creating unique interference patterns; these interference patterns can be processed by electronic signal processors and onboard computers in real time.

Luminit scientists developed a novel optically clear multilayer protective window film based on a unique glasslike polymer coating material, produced by a unique modification of the sol-gel process. Each layer of this film can be peeled off when damaged, leaving a new clear protective film. Combining mechanical durability with chemical resistance, this material system can be coated on film, or on flat or curved rigid substrates.