Novel Optics for Tactical SWIR with Reconfigurable Operations

The challenge of developing effective optical concepts for short wave infrared (SWIR) detectors goes beyond just understanding optical design. The SWIR spectral band provides significant opportunity for implementation of different capability into various platforms.The goal of both day and night operation makes the challenge of compact, dual field of view (DFOV) or multi-field of view (multi-FOV) optics significant.Understanding the con-ops is a key component to developing next generation SWIR and visible/NIR/SWIR (VNS) lenses.Low-light level performance requires fast f/number optics (generally f/1.4 or faster) making the optics more complex, larger in volume, and often with compromised performance. This challenge is compounded when trying to implement into small, compact, lightweight volumes as are found with small gimbals and weapon sights.This SBIR effort has two primary goals: to develop a dual FOV VNS lens that meets the design goals of the solicitation, and to develop new design solutions that can make significant advancements in lens design for both the SWIR and VNS spectral bands. This will involve both investigating materials and design forms and identifying which will apply well towards fixed focal length lenses and which can be utilized for multi-FOV approaches at an acceptable production cost.