Spectral Imager for Infrared Remote Sensing, Environmental Monitoring and Target Characterization

Ion Optics proposes to develop a high sensitivity, IR imager whose spectral sensitivity is rapidly tunable via a compact, solid state, liquid crystal filled etalon filter. We intend to develop a system whose operating parameters satisfy the stringent require- ments for the Air Force's atmospheric and geophysical data acquisition, and military target recognition, as well as satisfying commercial requirements for "True Color" IR imagery.The high throughput of a Fabry-Perot based spectrometer system will be exploited to produce a sensor that will be smaller, will require less time to acquire a spectrum, and will employ an inexpensive detector array for a wavelength coverage exceeding that of a Czezny-Turner or Littrow spectrometer system. In addition to contributions to the biological and chemical sciences, devices of this type should be viewed as an enabling technology with applications in many fields, including space science, astronomy and LIDAR.