Four-Dimensional Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor

To address the U.S. Air Force need for a novel airborne adaptive hyperspectral imaging sensor for the reconnaissance of rapidly changing events, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new, monolithic, compact, four-dimensional Hyperspectral Imaging Sensor (4D-HSIS) with fast identification capabilities for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. The proposed 4D-HSIS is based on two of POC's unique technologies: volume phase holographic transmission gratings and micromachined silicon microchannel array structures. The 4D-HSIS will operate aboard robotic unmanned airborne vehicles (UAVs), and will measure the temporal evolution of the spectra of rocket and aircraft plumes and explosions through high-frame-rate hyperspectral imagery acquisition in 32 bands through a large-format CCD or focal plane array IR camera. In Phase I, POC will design and develop a 4D-HSIS model to demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. In Phase II, a preproduction 4D-HSIS model will be fabricated and tested. The immediate application of the 4D-HSIS system is UAV-based ISR of transient signals and rapidly occurring events.