Volume Holographic Gratings for Improved Beam Splitting in Multi-Spectral Passive Anti-Submarine Warfare System

RL Associates, Inc. proposes to conduct a feasibility study leading to the development of a volume holographic 12-channel beam splitter for use in the Navy’s multi-spectral electro-optic passive antisubmarine warfare (ASW) system (EPAS). By optimizing beam splitting using a single volume holographic element with spatially or volumetrically multiplexed gratings, the size and weight of collection optics for this system can be greatly reduced. The design of these high-efficiency holographic gratings can be tailored to the desired acceptance angle, spectral range, and number of channels required for a variety of multi-spectral systems.BENEFITS: This single-element multi-channel beam splitter can be used to decrease bulk and improve efficiency of many multi-spectral DOD systems. Potential avenues for technology transfer to the fleet include NAVAIR's Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (MSA) Program Office (PMA-290), NAVAIR's Air ASW Systems Program Office (PMA-264), and the Missile Defense Agency, for multi-spectral missile guidance systems. Commercial applications include dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM), a technique for fiber-optic data transfer, and state-of-the-art biometrics such as multi-spectral fingerprint imaging.