Next Gen 64 Megapixel Thermal Scene Projector Based on Dual Band Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Array

Firefly Photonics proposes building a dual-band VCSEL-based hybrid to be tested and verified in an existing projector with a modular, tiled design that is scalable to a 64-megapixel array. The dual band vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) will be cryogenically cooled, have independent color control, operate with wallplug efficiencies > 10%, have modulation rates > MHz, and be capable of creating apparent temperatures in the mid-wave band . A large fraction of the array (>10%) will be able to project the maximum apparent temperature simultaneously in an asynchronous mode. Through careful design of the RIIC, 16-bit temperature resolution will be maintained throughout the temperature range. Thanks to the large bandwidth of the VCSELs kHz frame rates will be possible by building appropriate close support electronics. Approved for Public Release | 21-MDA-11013 (19 Nov 21)