Micro-Radiometer/Flourometer for Ocean Sensing

This SBIR project will research and develop a new class of miniature hyperspectral optical instruments for aquatic monitoring. The approach uses a molded spectrograph of exceedingly small size as the key optical component. This so-called micro-spectrograph can be implemented into a variety of miniature instrument configurations, e.g., as a radiometer, reflectometer, flourometer, and spectophotometer. These micro-instruments will be capable of measuring a variety of in-water and at-surface optical quantities of interest to the ocean science and aquaculture communities, such as irradiance reflectance, underwater spectral irradiance, vertical attenuation coefficients, chlorophyll concentration, dissolved organic matter, and speciation of phytoplankton. Phase 2 of the project will develop and test two prototype aquatic sensors: a micro-radiometer and a microflourometer. Specific tasks will include: optimization of the optical designs, miniaturization of the data acquisition electronics, integration of opto-mechanical and electro-optical components, laboratory testing, field testing, and final design modification. The final deliverables of Phase 2 will be working prototypes and detailed design drawings which are suitable for transition to a Phase 3 commercialization effort.