Frequency Agile Narrow Band Infrared Absorber(1001-770)

ABSTRACT: In this Phase II SBIR, Triton working with a team of academic and industrial collaborators, will design, demonstrate and characterize a novel infrared optical device which can be tuned to exclude laser radiation at any given wavelength in the 3-5µm band while permitting imaging to continue at other wavelengths with minimum degradation. The Triton technology for sensor protection, known as a Reconfigurable Plasmonic Mirror (RPM) uses an innovative combination of technologies to achieve unprecedented wideband tunability and large dynamic range. The key features of the proposed device were demonstrated in Phase I by computational modeling and laboratory experiments. In Phase II, a self contained prototype will be fabricated and characterized. Independent optical testing and technology validation for current and potential future Air Force sensor payloads will be carried out in the laboratories of a major US manufacturer of infrared sensors. BENEFIT: The proposed technology represents a new family of reconfigurable, widely tunable infrared optical components. Defense applications include sensor protection and Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance missions in the MWIR and LWIR. Commercial infrared applications will include infrared energy surveys, gas leak detection in pipelines and power plants, and other industrial, medical and scientific uses.