High Sensitivity Receiver For Optimized Standoff Active Chem-Bio Sensor

The objective of the program is to demonstrate novel methods for achieving significant improvement in sensitivity of the active standoff chemical sensor operating in the 3-5 m and 10 m bands. Emphasis will be placed on photon detection improvement including reduction of background radiation and preamplifier noise reduction. Detector arrays will be studied for threat mapping applications. Tradeoff of all the laser and sensor design factors will be performed to achieve a maximally sensitive detection system. Phase I includes assessment of the state-of-the-art of photon detector technology; analysis, tradeoffs, and performance projections for novel approaches and components to improve sensor sensitivity by at least a factor of 10 in the 9.3-10.7 m band and performance evaluation for the 3-5 m band for toxic industrial chemical detection; and development of a detailed component technology roadmap.