Spectrally-selective microbolometer

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with its STTR partner Sandia National Laboratories, proposes to develop a spectrally-selective microbolometer. The latter is the core technology behind an envisioned Phase III handheld chemical standoff sensor for detection of chemical warfare (CW) agents and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs). The spectrally-selective microbolometer, underpinned by narrowband perfect metamaterial absorber structures, exhibits a detectivity that exceeds the blackbody radiation limit. The key innovation is the design of a novel high quality-factor (Q) absorbance composite structure capable of achieving very narrow spectral linewidth, while maintaining close to unity absorption. In the proposed multi-phase program, PSI will leverage the body of works of its field-proven hyperspectral sensor - that is currently at a TRL 7 for standoff detection of chemical plumes - to design a robust core with multispectral imaging capability. Sandia is a recognized world leader in the technology required for development, fabrication, and production of micromachined devices. The Sandia team will capitalize on their expertise in microphotonic detectors and metamaterials to fabricate the enabling technology. In Phase I, a single-band microbolometer membrane will be developed to validate the proposed approach. And, in Phase II, a spectrally-selective multi-band (multi-pixel) microbolometer will be fabricated and tested.