Three-dimensional Infrared Metamaterial Optic for Broadband Risley-style Beam Steering (TIMBeRS)

We propose an advanced broadband, polarization agnostic, thin Risley optic for high-performance beam steering for mid-infrared light. The proposed optic will have a uniform 5 to 15° angular deviation across the infrared band from 3.0 to 5.0 ?m, and will be scalable up to at least an aperture of 50 mm. The optic will be fabricated from semiconductor-grade silicon carbide (SiC) to take advantage of the unique and desirable optical and mechanical properties offered by SiC. To achieve these proposed goals, the Risley optic will incorporate advanced 3D metamaterial structures designed and fabricated using the expertise and proprietary capabilities of Nielson Scientific, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Brigham Young University. In the proposed Phase I project, we will design and simulate the proposed high-performance Risley optic, demonstrating a design that both meets the performance goals of the program as well as enables scalable manufacturing of the optic. We will also perform fabrication demonstration experiments of key elements of the proposed Risley optic. The fabricated structures will be characterized and tested to confirm the desired geometry and the desired performance of the test components. Finally, based on the results of both the Risley optic design work and the experimental tests, tools will be designed that enable scalable manufacturing of the proposed optics. The optic design and the manufacturing tool design will form the basis for a follow-on Phase II project to fabricate a full-scale, 50 mm aperture, high-performance Risley optic.