Award Data

System requirements elicitation is a time consuming process with an extremely high penalty for errors. Mistakes made in the requirements phase will cost 50 times more to fix while they are uncovered in the production phase as compared to fixing them in the requirements phase. VIStology and Northeastern University are proposing to develop an approach for supporting the requirements elicitation phas ...

This Phase I SBIR program will initiate the development of a large-format mid-wave infrared (MWIR) scene projector based on the Company's existing membrane-mirror spatial light modulator technology. The scene projector is based on a VLSI membrane-mirror light modulator (VLSI-MMLM) that uses a deformable membrane mirror to modulate an off-chip light source. Prototype infrared scene projectors ...

Dual band infrared sensors are important components for future ballistic missile defense systems. Digital readout integrated circuits (DROICs), compared to analog ROIC architectures, allow on-chip processing, increased dynamic range and increased signal to noise ratio. Deep submicron CMOS provides low power digital circuitry with system noise immunity, and when combined with radiation hardening by ...

A new generation of position sensors is proposed that will enable dramatic improvements in the performance of fast steering mirrors for both space and airborne platforms. Sensors with resolution of 1 part in 38,000,000 or better and 16 bit accuracy are feasible. This represents a factor of 5 to 10 improvement in jitter suppression relative to the current state-of-the-art for space-qualified hardwa ...

ANTEOS, Inc. proposes to develop new generation of photonic crystal laser diodes with narrowed emission spectrum, improved thermal stability and overall performance for application in diode-pumped alkali vapor lasers (DPAL) systems. Already demonstrated proprietary process will be employed for holographic recording of relief-free gratings and photonic crystal structures with high refractive index ...

The diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) allows for a potentially scalable approach towards a MW-class high energy laser system. By using an alkali vapor gain medium, one overcomes the intrinsic thermo-optical limitations of more conventional diode-pumped solid state laser (DPSSL) media. High spectral brightness diode pump sources are proposed by TeraDiode as the enabling element for efficient, kW-c ...

Diode-pumped alkali laser systems (DPALS) are under development for high-energy airborne laser defense systems due to their extremely high theoretical optical efficiency, efficient thermal management, and comparatively small footprint. However, traditional antireflection coatings for the optics used in the alkali vapor cell of the laser cavity are rapidly destroyed by the harsh chemical environmen ...

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop a nanostructured, alkali vapor resistant, antireflective coating for use on Diode Pumped Alkali Laser (DPAL) windows. The materials will be deposited from chemical solutions via dip coating. A dual layer AR coating design is proposed including a dense alkali impervious base layer and a porous non-reactive top layer. The result of the Phase I effort ...

Compact, efficient, mega-watt power level lasers are being developed by the MDA for the mission of destroying targets over a range of many hundreds of kilometers. A candidate laser technology with the promise of meeting this mission goal is based on alkali gas that is optically pumped by multiple, electrically driven diode lasers. One current problem limiting the potential operational lifetime o ...

The U.S. DoD has made defense against regional missile threats a top priority. In response MDA is pursuing a Phased Adaptive Approach, which includes new sensors, such as Airborne Infrared (ABIR) and the Precision Tracking Space System (PTSS). Recently, regional missile defense has focused on raid scenarios. Since the potential locations of terrestrial radars are limited, regional missile defense ...