A Compact Fabry Perot Etalon for use in an LWIR HSI Payload for Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS)

Physical Science Inc. (PSI) will miniaturize our existing, commercially available, tunable filter module (TFM) technology to enable its integration with emerging long wave infrared (LWIR) hyperspectral imaging (HSI) payloads that are compatible with Common Launch Tube deployed small-unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). The proposed TFM, coupled with a small, inexpensive microbolometer, will enable staring-mode operation without the need for cooperative motion of the SUAS. The innovative approach is spectrally agile, enabling the acquisition of predefined wavelengths that have been strategically selected to match the spectral content for targets of interest. The spectral resolution of the proposed interferometric solution is independent of the size of the TFM and provides an opportunity to achieve high spectral resolution in a compact size. The basis of the proposed TFM technology stems from PSI’s patented Adaptive Infrared Imaging Spectroradiometer (AIRIS™, US Patent 5,461,477). Air Force stakeholders that stand to benefit from the proposed technology include the Tactical Off Board Sensing (TOBS) and Predator/Reaper Off-Board Sensing & Integrated Targeting (PROSIT) programs. The proposed technology is directly related to the C-SWaP EO/IR ISR Sensor Technology 20.3 Missions Focus Area. The Phase I program will demonstrate feasibility of a compact TFM design through assembly and successful wavelength tuning.