Space-based Passive Night Vision Vibrometer

ABSTRACT: Remote sensing of surface vibration is an important modality of measures and signals intelligence (MASINT) with a wide range of military applications including target discrimination, clutter rejection, analysis of engine signatures, and seismic detection of buried threats. Other applications of remote vibrometry include remote acoustic sensing, aerial sonar, structural damage assessment, and vehicle classification. Previously, vibration-sensing MASINT has been practiced using active or in-situ sensors such as remote laser vibrometers or embedded piezo sensors with attendant limitations for distant and uncooperative targets. Recently, it has been recognized that surface vibration can be detected by truly passive (and therefore undetectable) optical sensors provided that the signal to noise ratio (S/N) of the optical response is sufficiently high. The proposed Photon-Counting Integrated Circuit (PCIC) detector and imager is promising for such a high-S/N passive sensor suitable for many of the vibration-sensing MASINT applications. During Phase I, the team will develop and validate the vibrometer system architecture, and design, fabricate, test and characterize Si PCIC detector at unique parameters suitable for the space-based night vision vibrometer system. For Phase II and Phase III, the team will integrate the fabricated PCIC and design, assemble, test and demonstrate the vibrometer system. BENEFIT: Besides defense applications including the space-based vibrometer, night vision under star light, covert illumination and / or the more abundant natural night glow for military surveillance and target recognition, the proposed PCIC technology also finds commercial applications in architectural structure analysis, security, law enforcement, border patrol, scientific instruments, laser detection, laser eye protection, biomedical imaging, prosthetic vision aid, ecosystem monitoring and protection, manufacturing quality control and consumer electronics cameras.