Retroreflectors for Remote Detection

Optical detection systems report changes in their surroundings by detecting optical properties. They are crucial in a variety of fields, such as environmental monitoring or defense tech, in which the early identification of phenomena can be key. A system that can adapt to different optical properties and mediums broadens the spectrum of detectable phenomena. Current optical detection systems are often limited to fixed or static deployments and cover a small detection range. Their ability to adapt to multiple optical properties and to function in different mediums typically gets compromised. Situations requiring mobile detection platforms or vast coverage areas present challenges that the current approaches find difficult to surmount.

Technology Description

This optical detection system comprises a retroreflector and a layer of material that alters its transmission under exposure to a certain phenomenon. The retroreflector, possibly an array of or individual prisms or cat's eye microspheres, gets illuminated by a radiation source with multiple optical properties. As it happens, a sensor is employed to sense radiation that is retroreflected back through the layer. The layer could also include elements such as a colorimetric dye. What distinguishes this technology is its versatility and detection potential. The retroreflector and layer could be situated on a moving carrier like a projectile or vehicle so that the system can function within a variety of mediums. This versatility makes it possible to detect changes in optical properties over larger areas. Moreover, in detecting a phenomenon, retroreflective elements can be utilized across a region of ground or distributed within the atmosphere.