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Beam Steering Using A New Class Of Fast, High-Polarization Ferroelectric Liquid

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Air Force 		Award ID:
62228 		Program Year/Program:
2004 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
F031-2439 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
Displaytech Incorporated
2602 CLOVER BASIN DR LONGMONT, CO 80503 7604
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 2
Fiscal Year: 2004
Title: Beam Steering Using A New Class Of Fast, High-Polarization Ferroelectric Liquid
Agency / Branch: DOD / USAF
Contract: FA9453-04-C-0163
Award Amount: $750,000.00
 

Abstract:

It has long been known that optical phased array (OPA) beam steering can be performed by liquid crystal devices, yet available liquid crystals are either too slow for many applications (1 ms - 100's of milliseconds) or they are incapable of producing the necessary range of analog phase modulation. Developments in a new class of ferroelectric liquid crystals (FLCs) during the last couple of years have the potential to overcome these limitations, enabling OPA beam steering devices with speeds in excess of 5 kHz. During Phase I we showed the feasibility of achieving hysteresis-free analog switching of the new FLCs using the charge-controlled drive scheme that we've devised. Furthermore, we demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed charge-control VLSI drive circuit for use in future liquid-crystal-on-silicon (LCOS) OPAs. In Phase II we propose to complete development of the new FLC, to demonstrate one-dimensional beam steering, to develop a process for integrating the necessary wave plate within the LCOS structure, and to develop and test VLSI pixel-drive circuits. At the end of Phase II we aim to be ready for Phase III product engineering of an OPA fine steering mirror capable of the speed and accuracy required for free space optical communications systems.

Principal Investigator:

Michael J. O'Callaghan
3037742272
mikeo@displaytech.com

Business Contact:

Mark A. Handschy
3037742213
handschy@displaytech.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

DISPLAYTECH, INC.
2602 Clover Basin Drive Longmont, CO 80503

EIN/Tax ID: 840986353
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No