Antenna Array for Spectroscopic Division of Wavefront Focal-Plane Imaging Polarimetry

This SBIR Phase II project will develop an enabling technology that performs spectroscopic division of wavefront polarimetry using antenna arrays in an imaging focal-plane configuration. This imaging system will measure specific polarization states withcarefully designed antennas that completely determines the polarization state of light at each pixel. The high frequency energy collected by each antenna will be converted to an usable signal with integrated rectifiers (diodes, bolometers, etc.). Sincefrequency collection is a geometric/engineering issue for antennas, ITN will combine antennas in a focal-plane array to detect a broad spectrum of wavelengths with resolution and band-widths engineered to the specific application requirements. ITN has theadvanced e-beam lithographic processing, in-house, to perform the challenging R&D needed to design, build, and test the small antennas/rectifiers that scale with the wavelength of the light for optimum collection efficiency. Furthermore, ITN hassubstantial patented polarimetry expertise with unique calibration capabilities. While the processing and goals of this program will be challenging, successful completion of the Phase I major tasks has demonstrated the feasibility of developing ahigh-resolution focal-plane antenna array that simultaneously measures the full polarization state of light at multiple (perhaps hundreds) wavelengths that will revolutionize the IR imaging industry.