Compact Mobile Light Filament Sensor System

Digital Fusion and The University of Alabama in Huntsville propose to develop a light filament based sensor system suitable for incorporation in an unmanned-aerial-system (UAS). This sensor system is intended to be useful, e.g., for sensing explosive residue or biotoxins at up to kilometer class distances. It has been demonstrated that white light filaments, which can propagate through the atmosphere with little divergence, are generated by sufficiently short and sufficiently intense laser pulses. This phenomenon offers a means to improve the performance of hyperspectral stand-off sensors as well as stand-off laser induced breakdown spectroscopy of materials. Potential applications are, e.g., detection at a distance of improvised explosive devices (IED) or plastic mines on the ground and of biotoxins in the atmosphere. A technology roadmap will be developed detailing means of reducing power, mass, dimensions, and cooling requirements of the required laser systems so as to transition laser capabilities for such light filament generation to UAS platforms. In parallel with this effort, we will develop a design for a UAS-based hyper-spectral sensor. This UAS-based sensor system will be developed during Phase II. We expect to seek a prototypical model having power, mass, dimensions, and cooling requirements consistent with incorporation on a UAS platform in Phase III.