Kaon, an SME based in Guildford, received Centre for Defence Enterprise (CDE) funding to develop novel, ultra-thin, lightweight lenses using plasmonic meta-materials that could be used in military electro-optic systems.

Traditional lenses are at the heart of most infrared optical systems, but the materials are expensive and traditional lenses can be heavy, requiring multiple elements to give images free of distortions. Kaon’s new approach is based on the use of plasmonic meta-materials that dramatically reduce the thickness of lenses, down to billionths of a metre, while reducing distortions compared to traditional lenses.

Ian Pickering, Business Development Manager, Kaon Ltd says:

Funding from CDE has allowed Kaon to pursue research that not only has the potential to provide real military worth to the end customer, but has also provided our team with something challenging, innovative and rewarding to get their teeth into. Research funding has also allowed us to build and reinforce ties with local universities.

Kaon is a high-technology systems development and consultancy business and currently employs 15 people.

About CDE

CDE funds novel, high-risk, high-potential-benefit research. We work with the broadest possible range of science and technology providers, including academia and small companies, to develop cost-effective capabilities for UK armed forces and national security.

CDE is part of Dstl.