Micro-Optics Multispectral Polarimetric IR Imaging Sensor

ABSTRACT: To address the Air Force need for long focal length compact multispectral infrared (IR) imager, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Micro-Optics Multispectral IR Polarimetric Imaging Sensor (MOMIIS). This proposed MOMIIS is based on innovative combination of diffractive and refractive birefringent elements that form a 2D focal plane array imaging sensor enabling multispectral imaging in real time. As a result, MOMIIS will be a compact, monolithic device with large focal length (exceeding 100 mm) to perform high spectral resolution (~1 nm 10 nm, depending on the device application) detection over a wide optical spectrum in the IR, directly addressing the small UAVs"platform requirement. MOMIIS simultaneously performs parallel spectral sampling at two orthogonal polarization directions without any moving parts. In Phase I, POC will develop a preliminary design of the MOMIIS and will conduct a study that describes the expected sensor performance. The sensor parameters and study along with feasibility demonstration will allow the Air Force to determine the compatibility of the sensor approach to their application. In Phase II, POC will build a long focal length, compact, multispectral imager prototype that operates in an IR wavelength band with military relevance and demonstrate performance in simulated operational environment. BENEFIT: Compact multispectral imaging sensors are required for many defense, medical, and environmental monitoring applications. These applications include IED detection, chemical/biological weapons detection, missile warning, missile seekers, mine detection, kill assessment and reconnaissance, battle space information gathering, discrimination between targets and decoys, defeating camouflage; early warning for long range missiles and space surveillance. Other applications include environmental monitoring; geologic mapping; vegetation analysis; gas leak imaging in oil, gas and chemical plants; greenhouse gas monitoring; emission monitoring for regulatory compliance; remote sensing for process control in boilers; and medical research and diagnostics.