Uncooled, LWIR FPA for Hyper-spectral Imaging

We propose a phase II to develop a tunable, uncooled sensor, capable of hyper-spectral imaging over the entire long wave infrared (LWIR) spectrum, ideal for target acquisition and thermal weapons sights. The sensor is a focal plane array (FPA), fabricatedby MEMS (micro electro-optical mechanical system) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) processes. It consists of a dense 128x128 array of micro interferometers integrated with an array of micro bolometers. The interferometer elementprovides the hyper-spectral tunability while the bolometer element provides the LWIR sensitivity. Phase II will complete the development of the FPA by performing the following: (1) fabrication of the interferometer structures; (2) incorporation of on-chipcircuits for pixel control; and (3) fabrication of external electronics for array control. This program will prepare us to commercialize a set of competitive products for the defense, gas sensing and thermal imaging markets.Night-vision driving, Thermal imaging in industrial processing, Chemical and environmental gas sensing, Medical imaging, Law enforcement.