Focal Plane Array with Arbitrary Tunable Spectral Response

The spectral content of targets through a multi- or hyper-spectral imaging will greatly improve target discrimination capability by utilizing the differences in spectral content of target and background radiation. However, today's hyperspectral imaging systems are limited to wavelength-to-wavelength scanning mode detection. For targets that are in rapid motion or scenarios that need prompt response, the ability to perform multi- to hyper-spectral imaging in a staring mode is critical. In this proposal, Boston Applied Technologies proposes to integrate a dynamic optical filter (DOF) with a photodetector to provide tunable detection with arbitrary spectral response. This DOF can perform not only sequential wavelength-by-wavelength tuning, but also various combinations of wavebands (even complicated spectral profile over a broad range) simultaneously. Based on this high speed tunable filter, the reconfiguration can be achieved in microseconds interval. When made into array type and integrate with a PFA (Focal Plane Array), it will be electrically tunable on a pixel-by-pixel basis, thus enable the real-time reconfiguration of the PFA to maximize either spectral coverage or spatial resolution