Meta-optic Spectropolarimeter For Heliophysics Imaging

Spectropolarimetric measurements show great promise for heliophysics in many wavelength regimes, including for observing hydrogen-alpha (H-alpha) emissions in solar flares, or UV features of the K-corona. Recently, under NASA contract 80NSSC22CA172, Nanohmics and Professor Andrea Alù’s research group at the City University of New York (CUNY) demonstrated the potential of multifunction meta-optics that can focus light and can also analyze both spectrum and polarization state for light in the deep red, NIR, and SWIR. To adapt this metamaterial technology to H-alpha and other visible (VIS) spectral bands used for heliophysics missions, Nanohmics proposes to develop a VIS band, low-SWaP imaging spectropolarimeter using an ultrathin, light-weight, microfabricated multifunction meta-optic. The proposed imaging spectropolarimeter combines a single multifunction meta-optic with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) focal plane array (FPA). It will collect polarization, spectral, and one-dimensional (1D) imaging data simultaneously at video rates and hyperspectral resolution. Its mass and volume will be approximately 1/10 of that of existing spectropolarimeters. The core metamaterial-based optic performs polarization, wavelength, and spatial discrimination with no moving parts. In Phase I, the team will demonstrate the feasibility of low-SWaP, high-performance heliophysics-suited sensors by fabricating a brassboard imaging spectropolarimeter using a single multifunction meta-optic. Laboratory testing will advance the brassboard to TRL 4. In Phase II, the team will advance the brassboard to the prototype stage (TRL 5) through ruggedization and testing. Longer term, the proposed technology can be integrated into NASA heliophysics missions, e.g., CubeSats and other SWaP-constrained vehicles. Meta-optic fabrication using standard CMOS microfabrication techniques will reduce costs and provide a rapid route to commercialization.