Etalon Spectrometer for Chemical Threat Detection

The work proposed here will demonstrate the feasibility of a high-sensitivity,scanning-etalon infrared spectrometer to detect silent chemical threats, inresponse to Subtopic 1 of the solicitation. There is a critical needthroughout the DoD, the U.S. government, and the commercial sector for cost-effective sensors to provide timely warning of asymmetric attacks. The Navy isparticularly exposed, as it is often the front line of defense. Infraredspectrometry's sensitivity and selectivity minimizes missed detections andfalse alarms. A new digital signal processing module will compensate forconvolution and alignment variations, and enhance the performance ofinexpensive optical hardware at small incremental cost. The new instrument canbe employed as a passive remote sensor on UAV and surface platforms, or as anactive point sensor, offering an unmatched sensitivity and specificity forearly warning, providing a superior and less expensive replacement for the JS-LSCAD. To prove feasibility in Phase I, a prototype sensor will beconstructed, tested, and mathematically modeled. Comparison of test and modelresults will verify optimum performance. Because cryogenic detector coolingprovides optimum sensitivity, a portion of the effort will verify coolingoptions. Many commercial opportunities will accrue from development of thistechnology. Military applications include personnel protection, remote sensing ofclandestine activities, including drug and toxin manufacture.Commercial applications include a range of process and qualitycontrol, spectral imaging, environmental and occupational healthmonitoring, laboratory research, field measurements and remote sensingapplications. Conservative estimates indicate a $10 million per yearmarket for the technology. Cost-effectiveness insures capture of asignificant market share.