Candidate Name: Emmanuel Sarpong
Program: Optical Science and Engineering​​​​​​​
Committee Chairs: Dr. Tsing-Hua Her
Committee Members: Dr. Glenn D. Boreman, Dr. Jay Mathews, Dr. Qiuming Wei
Abstract:

As infrared (IR) detectors and optics advance, next-generation infrared scene projectors (IRSPs) require faster response times, higher apparent temperatures, and lower power consumption. Existing IRSP sources such as micro-resistor arrays are limited by high power demand, slow frame rates, and low fabrication yield, while IR LEDs suffer from restricted availability, narrow bandwidth, and poor scalability for large-format imagers.

Vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) have emerged as promising alternative emitter material owing to their near-blackbody emissivity, mechanical robustness, and rapid thermal response derived from high axial thermal conductivity. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive experimental data to validate their use for practical IRSP implementation.
This work investigates the radiometric behavior of VACNTs under nanosecond laser excitation, emphasizing the role of environmental conditions: air, vacuum, and inert gas on degradation thresholds and maximum attainable apparent temperature. By mitigating oxidation and structural deterioration through controlled atmospheres, this study establishes the thermal endurance limits and emission stability of VACNTs. The resulting dataset provides essential design parameters and supports the development of robust, high-performance VACNT emitters for future cost-effective, broadband IR projection technologies.