RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT PROJECT APPROVAL REQUEST FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED REAR PROJECTION SCREEN

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: NGA Records (Formerly NIMA)
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP79B00873A001900010089-7
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 28, 2016
• Document Release Date: September 6, 2012
• Sequence Number: 89
• Publication Date: April 7, 1965
• Content Type: MEMO

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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/06: CIA-RDP79B00873A001900010089-7
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/06: CIA-RDP79B00873A001900010089-7
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R & D CATALOG FORM
DATE
15 March 1965
1. PROJECT TITLE/CODE NAME
Improved Rear-Projection
Screen
2. SHORT PROJECT DESCRIPTION This project is to study,
develop, and evaluate unique materials; the best of
which will be utilized in the development of a
rear-projection screen having improved performance (Co/
3. CONTRACTOR NAME
Corning Glass Works
4. LOCATION OF CONTRACTOR
3900 Electronics Drive
Raleigh, North Carolina 2760)4
5. CLASS OF CONTRACTOR
Manufacturer
6. TYPE OF CONTRACT
CPFF
7. FUNDS
8. REQUISITION NO.
NA
9. BUDGET PROJECT NO.
NP-V-14
FY 19 $
FY 19 65
10. EFFECTIVE CONTRACT DATE
(Begin - end)
June 1965 - September 1966
11. SECURITY CLASS.
A.A. - Confidential 25)
T. - Unclassified
W. - Unclassified
FY 19 $
12. RESPONSIBLE
/ DDI/NPIC/P&DS/
DIRECTORATE/OFFICE/PROJECT
OFFICER TELEPHONE EXTENSION
25X
13. REQUIREMENT/AUTHORITY This development will achieve a higher screen efficiency than
current rear-projection screens. An improved screen will not restrict the photo-
interpreter by the information transfer limitations of the screen. A development
of this type is needed by NPIC/PAG and NPIC/PID.
14. TYPE OF WORK TO BE DONE
Applied Research
15. CATEGORIES OF EFFORT
MAJOR CATEGORY
Viewers and Other Interpretation
Equipment
SUB-CATEGORIES
Triterpretation/AnalyRis
Photo Reconnaissance
Visual
16. END ITEM OR SERVICES FROM THIS CONTRACT/IMPROVEMENT OVER CURRENT SYSTEM. EQUIPMENT. ETC.
Final Report and breadboard samples. The improved screen would minimize the degrading effects of dispersion, diffraction, back-scattering and reflection.
!
17. SUPPORTING OR RELATED CONTRACTS (Agency & Other)/COORDINATION
Due to contacts throughout industry and the Intelligence Community, it has been
determined that no equivalent screen material is under development.
IS. DESCRIPTION OF INTELLIGENCE REQUIREMENT AND DETAILED TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT (Continue on addi-
tional page if required) Most of the photography received at NPIC must first be scanned
to select areas for detailed analysis. A large percentage of the scanning operatior
is accomplished utilizing rear-projection viewers. Of all the components within
the viewer, the screen has the lowest efficiency and consequently needs the most
improvement. ,.
Because a rear-projection screen has a very low efficiency, much of the
projected illumination is lost and this loss requires higher intensity (Contd)
19. APPROVED BY AND DATE
OFFICE
DEPUTY DIRECTOR
DOC]
FORM
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R & D CATALOG FORM (Continued)
2. in reflectance, uniform dispersion and back-scattering.
18. illumination to be projected through the film thereby causing over-
heating of the film. If the screen could be improved, less illumination
would be required. The present screens have several objectionable
characteristics:
1. Cause dispersion and diffraction, thereby introducing color and
graininess.
2. Back-scatter as much as 50% of the incident illumination, thereby
reducing efficiency.
3. Reflect a high percentage of ambient light and internally reflect
a considerable portion of the dispersed projection light -- both effects
significantly diminish contrast.
A rear-projection screen will be developed which will significantly
minimize these degrading effects.
This development will consider the limitations described above; at
the same time, attention will be given to the following:
a. Resolution must be comparable to that of existing screens.
b. Size as large as 30" x 30" must be feasible.
c. Economy must be consistent with that of typical rear-projection
viewers.
The screen should have the following desirable characteristics:
1. The screen should reproduce or transmit an image with minimum
color dispersion and graininess. Appearance approaching that of the virtual
image in a direct-viewing optical system is the goal.
2. Conventional light-scattering screens exhibit mutually exclusive
properties of axial gain and angular gain. To increase angular gain
(luminance), more scattering is required; and this, in turn, decreases
axial gain. More important, this also increases back-scattering and
reduces efficiency. Consequently, it is required that the improved screen
display relatively uniform luminance (t 15%) over a solid angle of 900
centered on the axial ray with less than 15% back-scattering.
3. The primary property which degrades contrast in conventional
screens is internal and external reflectance. The improved screen should
minimize this property. A reflectance characteristic approaching that of
black velvet is ideal.
SECRET
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R & D CATALOG FORM (Continued)
18. In an ambient light level of 5 foot-lamberts and an incident signal
intensity range of 2000 to 1, the improved screen should display a bright-
ness range of 1000 to 1.
4. The improved screen should exhibit a resolution of 10 lines per mm
at 90% modulation transfer function: The desired goal is 20 lines
per millimeter at 90% MTF.
This development consists of a study of the various glass and glass
ceramic materials which may prove valuable as basic materials for con-
structing an improved rear-projection screen. The work will include only
available materials and processes; although excursions into variations of
existing materials will be made, as necessary, to point the direction
for further work. Thus, whatever success is achieved will be transferable
with little delay to practical screens.
Although Corning's demonstrated abilities in optical technology
are important to the success of this project, the greatest contribution
the Company can make is in the field of materials technology. Much of
the work will involve the evaluation of unique materials which are created
by selective molecular changes in the materials themselves. Many avail-
able materials which have never been examined for their optical and
diffusive properties will be evaluated; such as conventional and exotic
optical glasses and other Corning materials for which optical properties
can be altered by molecular manipulation. Among the most promising
materials are photosensitive glass, porous silica glass and sintered glass.
The project will be divided into three sections, (1) a short study
of all available literature, (2) a theoretical investigation in which the
many theories of light scattering are reviewed for their applicability
and relationship to the properties of available materials, (3) experi-
mentation into the most feasible approaches. It is expected to be
possible to combine the desirable properties of different materials to
optimize the performance against the objectives for appearance, efficiency,
contrast and resolution. In the course of the experimentation, samples
will be built for evaluation which later will be delivered to the sponsor.
Where exceptionally good results are realized, every effort will be made
to provide the sponsor with a practical sample for evaluation.
Proposals were solicitated from seven companies with only three,
Corning responding. Of these three, the Corning proposal
is by far the most significant, being the only one which proposes new
approaches and materials.
Because NPIC has not had contractual actions with this Company, the
required security measures are not in effect at the contractors plant;
however, (Corning's representative to the Government)
holds an Agency secret clearance.
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Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/09/06: CIA-RDP79B00873A001900010089-7