Compact Imaging Spectropolarimeter Based on Multifunction Meta-optic

Metamaterial optics provide dramatic reductions in size and weight compared with traditional optics.nbsp;nbsp;Nanohmics isnbsp;developingnbsp;anbsp;low-SWaP imaging spectropolarimeter using an ultrathin, microfabricated multifunction meta-optic.nbsp;nbsp;Because of their extremely low size and mass, these low-aberration optics will be ideal for sensors and imagers in SWaP-constrained vehicles, such as for suborbital Earth science measurements including atmospheric aerosol absorption and scattering.nbsp;nbsp;The proposed imaging spectropolarimeter combines a single multifunction meta-optic with a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) focal plane array.nbsp;nbsp;The team recently demonstrated a multifunction meta-optic that focuses light and simultaneously analyzes both spectrum and polarization state, including all 4 Stokes parameters, degree of linear polarization (DoLP), angle of linear polarization (AoLP), and other parameters used by NASA to study light scattering in the atmosphere.nbsp;nbsp;Phase I will demonstrate the feasibility of low-SWaP, high-performance suborbital sensors based on multifunction meta-optics by fabricating a breadboard imaging spectropolarimeter using a single meta-optic.nbsp;nbsp;Laboratory testing will advance the breadboard to TRL 4.nbsp;nbsp;The team will build upon recently developed design, simulation, and fabrication methods.nbsp;nbsp;Phasenbsp;II will include laboratory and airborne testing of a TRL 5 prototype and will extend operating spectral band from near-infrared (NIR) to include visible (VIS). The team will plan for low-cost suborbital monitoring within NASArsquo;s Earth Science Division (ESD) and Science Mission Directorate (SMD).nbsp;nbsp;Longer term, imaging spectropolarimeters can leverage multifunction meta-optics in all spectral bands, making them valuable for NASA imaging and monitoring missions ndash; both suborbital and in space ndash; and applications in the military, industrial, energy, medical, and consumer sectors.nbsp;nbsp;Standard microfabrication techniques will keep costs low and accelerate commercialization.