Award Data

Based on successful computer simulations of principal building blocks and radiation testing of test chips performed at AFRL during Phase I program, our company offers to develop an extra low-power, radiation-hardened (RH), analog-to-digital converter (ADC

This SBIR project is to develop and demonstrate high-efficiency, compact power converters based on the emerging wide-bandgap SiC semiconductor technology, which can be applied in the power supply system for next generation GaN-based radar T/R modules. Wide-bandgap SiC power devices have the potential for reliable operations at higher voltages, higher frequencies and higher junction temperatures, t ...

Development efforts for hybrid Flash Ladar receivers are underway, however a common limitation is the lack of an appropriate Readout Integrated Circuit (ROIC) to amplify and condition the hybrid Flash Ladar signals. Though Flash Ladar ROICs exist for direct-detect mode and concepts are under development for coherent mode, due to the relative immaturity of the hybrid-mode approach, hybrid-mode ROIC ...

Aerius proposes to build detectors with low dark current and a cutoff wavelength of 3.0 um, using InP-based detectors. These detectors do not suffer from the same problems conventional "extended-wavelength" detectors suffer, such as high dark current, low quantum efficiency, and limited spectral range. Aerius proposes to achieve, high quality, high uniformity extended short-wavelength infrared ...

The performance of diode pumped solid state lasers (DPSSLs) is often limited by the performance of the diode laser arrays used to pump the crystal. Of the components making up the DPSSL module, the diode laser arrays consume the most power, dissipate the most waste heat per unit area and are among the most costly to manufacture and qualify. The performance of the diode laser pump array is limite ...

Aerius is proposing the development of a prototype hybrid coherent and direct-detection Ladar receiver for greatly enhanced detection sensitivity, target tracking and target discrimination. The approach employs Aerius’ Optical preamplified Pixel Array (OPPA) which consists of a 2-D array of Vertical-Cavity Semiconductor Optical Amplifiers (VCSOAs) that provide high optical gain and low noise to ...

Range-Resolved Doppler Imaging (RRDI) ladar has been singled out as the most promising advanced discrimination technology to augment existing advanced seekers on board MDA missile interceptors. Efforts are underway to develop compact RRDI ladar seekers to test against objective decoys and targets. These programs face many technical challenges, and there success hinges on parallel developments in a ...

To counter emerging threats of theater ballistic missiles the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) has sponsored the development of the Airborne Laser (ABL) system that will locate and track missiles in the boost phase of their flight, then accurately point and fire a high-energy laser, destroying enemy missiles near their launch areas. For the ABL system to meet the operational requirement of engaging mu ...

Future MDA missions will require various enhancements in multi-stage cryocoolers. These include increased efficiency, reduced vibration and reductions in overall system mass and power consumption. For the small coolers required, pulse tube and Stirling coolers offer the best opportunities. At present, the efficiency of these coolers is limited by the effectiveness of low-temperature-stage regen ...

This SuperPixel FPA (SFPA) will achieve a fast track enhancement of existing technology that effectively allows improved detection and discrimination of existing and emerging threats. Cyan is working with Research Triangle Institute, who has recently developed and demonstrated Lead Tin Telluride (PbSnTe) detectors for high temperature operation and fabrication in a superpixel format. The SFPA wit ...