Time Multiplexed Step and Stare Ultraresolution Ca

An ultraresolution imaging system is proposed which reduces the required number of FPAs by about an order of magnitude. The system employs a muli-channel step and stare imaging array (SSIA) which coregisters the independent channel fields onto the centre of a single FPA. The system is constructed to achieve conjoined image fields from adjacent channel lenses by providing the correct lens tip and tilt with respect to the FPA. Switching between the channels is achieved using an active liquid crystal (LC) based shutter array. A standard twisted nematic (TN) shutter array can be adopted. Alternatively, to eliminate the polarization based 50% transmission loss, an approach using active LC based polarization gratings can be employed. Achromatization of the shutters over a broad spectral band is possible in both cases. Initial ZEMAX modeling during the proposal preparation showed an image field of at least 36°x36° is possible with a single SSIA. The full ultraresolution imaging system can be assembled in a modular fashion from several SSIA units. In Phase I, the optical, FPA, and shutter related parameter space for constructing a functioning SSIA will be investigated. A lab base SSIA prototype will be constructed to demonstrate the technology.