Airborne Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging System for Remote Sensing of Chemical

Redondo Optics Inc. (ROI), a world leader in engineering and manufacturing of leading edge optical sensors and advanced monitoring instrumentation proposes to develop and demonstrate an airborne fluorescence lifetime imaging (SeePhase™) system for the remote, real time identification and measurement of chemical and biological fluorescent markers in the battle field that are indicative of potential threats to the war fighter. The fluorescence lifetime of the target fluorophores is measured using the principle of “frequency-domain” or “phase-locked” detection, a method that is totally insensitive to the excitation or fluorescence emission light intensity levels as well as insensitive to any background stray light. The detected lifetime signals are processed using fast software algorithms and displayed in real time in a spatially resolved 3-dimensional fluorescent lifetime image of the battlefield. As world governments have become more attentive to the potential threat of chemical and biological weapons, a premium has been place on technologies capable of reliably identifying airborne threats. The SeePhase™ system will readily find applications in the military for the protection of war-fighters as well as in civilian and government institution for first-time responders and civilian protection.