Biologically Inspired Plasmonic Integrated Multi-Color Sensors (BI-PIMS)

ABSTRACT: In this program, Agiltron, Inc. and Harvard University will develop a biologically-inspired integrated sensor that can detect the UV, visible (VIS), near infrared (NIR), and mid-wave infrared (MWIR) bands. This sensor will be integrated with plasmonic filters to provide additional information from the radiation field that may not be available to common image sensors. The advanced integrated sensors will provide spectral information of those four bands in addition to information about polarization, temporal, and object shape information. In analogy to compound eyes of insects, all the information is gathered using advanced integrated sensors without the need for additional components. BENEFIT: This program addresses the lack of a single integrated sensor to extract most information from the electromagnetic radiation field to enable autonomous behavior. Currently, separate sensors sensitive to different bands (UV, visible, near-infrared, and mid-wave infrared) and to polarization are used. In addition to the benefits of size and weight reduction, integrating these sensors will allow better target discrimination by processing in one system the unique spectral and polarization signatures of the objects in a scene. The integrated sensor will be useful for camouflage breaking of static objects and autonomous behavior of vehicles. Potential applications of this technology include ISR sensors, sensors for autonomous vehicles, and missile seekers. Commercial applications include surveillance, search and rescue, and space-based imaging.