Metalens for Infrared Light Emitting Diodes and Photodiodes

To address the Air Force’s need for filtering and beam-forming of mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodiodes (PDs), Intellisense Systems, Inc. (Intellisense) proposes to develop a new Metalens for Infrared LEDs and PDs (MIRLE), based on chalcogenide metamaterials, form birefringence, and multiple filter configurations. Specifically, the proposed innovative metalens design enables achromatic, diffraction-limited, and polarization-insensitive metalenses with a low f-number over a broad wavelength band, offering suitable beam-forming to convert a Lambertian profile to a narrow beam. This design also provides filtering property to meet specific applications. The MIRLE allows ultrathin integrated metalenses and filters, which can be cost-effectively manufactured using advanced nanoimprint lithography. As a result, the MIRLE enables integration into transistor outline (TO) and surface-mounted packages of LEDs and PDs for filtering and beam forming. In Phase I, Intellisense will investigate the requirements associated with military optical systems and prove feasibility of a conformal design by geometrical optimization, simulation, prototype fabrication, and characterization of filtering, beam-forming, and transmission. The tradeoff between light collection efficiency and beam divergence will also be estimated. In Phase II, Intellisense will refine and optimize the MIRLE design and manufacturing process based on the testing results in Phase I. The complete fabrication processes will be developed based on advanced nanoimprint lithography to establish a complete path for volume production. In addition, we will design and fabricate mature MIRLE prototypes working in the MWIR, LWIR, and additional wavelengths of interest with high efficiency at a low f-number. Intellisense will adapt the MERLE metalenses to TO and surface-mounted packages for LED and PD product prototypes. By the end of Phase II, Intellisense will have fabricated mature working prototypes and be ready for delivery to the Air Force Office of Scientific Research for further testing and application.