Spectrally Agile Multispectral Imaging Sensor

Multispectral imaging sensors are needed to identify activities and connections associated with proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Electronically tunable optical filters enable multispectral imaging with no moving parts. However, for some applications such as transient events or moving targets, current filters do not provide sufficiently fast response time, high throughput, large aperture, and wide spectral coverage. This project will develop a multispectral imaging sensor that is capable of dynamically random access of spectral center and flexible setting of spectral bandwidth. Using a fast spatial modulating device, a fast transition time between spectral channels can be achieved. With the proposed architecture, it will be inherently easy to realize sensors of large aperture, high throughput, and wide spectral range. Phase I will conduct technical analysis and design, and construct a preliminary bench-top experimental setup to demonstrate critical technologies and the feasibility of the proposed concept. Commercial Applications and other Benefits as described by the awardee: The spectrally-agile multispectral imaging sensor should find military applications in urban warfare, threat analysis, land mine detection, chemical analysis, monitoring of terrestrial and atmospheric conditions, and the discrimination between manmade and naturally occurring materials. Commercial applications should arise in precision farming (monitoring crop yields, health, disease management, irrigation); the marine and coastal environment (phytoplankton detection, coastal mapping, ocean color, river deltas, iceberg tracking); natural hazard and pollution monitoring (oil spills, floods, forest fires, volcanoes); oil, gas, and mineral exploration (collection of geologic and structural terrain information, assist in planning field work); medical diagnostics such as photodynamic therapy; and spectroscopic medical image processing.