Antenna Coupled MOM for Multispectral Infrared Sensors

ITN Energy Systems, in collaboration with the University of Central Florida and Millennium Engineering and Integration Company, propose to design a multispectral imager using an antenna-coupled metal-oxide-metal (MOM) sensor. Because the MOM sensor is patterned and processed with standard integrated circuit technology, the sensor is readily integrable with existing cellular neural network processors. In addition, the response wavelength of the sensor is a function of antenna resonance length and, therefore, the same materials and processes can be used to sense multiple wavelengths with the same technology. Using this approach, multiple wavelengths can be monitored at each pixel. Phase I will lead to a multispectral imager design that employs antenna-coupled MOM sensors integrated with a central neural network processor. The ITN team will work with the MDA to establish functional and performance requirements including tuning range and spectral bands of interest. The team will identify antenna designs that optimize sensitivity over the entire tuning range. Finally, the team will demonstrate the feasibility of antenna-coupled MOM sensors for operation throughout the frequency bands of interest. The Phase I effort will establish the feasibility of the proposed approach and provide the foundation for prototype development of a multispectral imager in Phase II.