You are here

Wide Field of View Imaging System Based on Adaptive Lens With Controllable Aperture Location

Award Information
Agency: Department of Defense
Branch: Air Force
Contract: F33615-03-M-1527
Agency Tracking Number: F031-1353
Amount: $99,995.00
Phase: Phase I
Program: SBIR
Solicitation Topic Code: N/A
Solicitation Number: N/A
Timeline
Solicitation Year: N/A
Award Year: 2003
Award Start Date (Proposal Award Date): N/A
Award End Date (Contract End Date): N/A
Small Business Information
Photonic Systems Division, 20600 Gramercy Place Bl
Torrance, CA 90501
United States
DUNS: 153865951
HUBZone Owned: No
Woman Owned: No
Socially and Economically Disadvantaged: No
Principal Investigator
 Alex Naumov
 Research Scientist
 (310) 530-7892
 sutama@poc.com
Business Contact
 Gordon Drew
Title: Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (310) 320-3088
Email: gdrew@poc.com
Research Institution
N/A
Abstract

To meet the need of the U.S. Air Force for a new imaging technology for missile warning and identification, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new highly agile mid-wave infrared imaging system based on an Adaptive Lens withControllable Aperture Location (ALCAL). ALCAL is a unique device involving liquid crystal with a controllable aperture size, programmable focal distance and spherical aberration, and adjustable off-axis angle. The ALCAL device will provide surveillanceof a large area with nearly instantaneous switching to a spatially limited region of interest within the field of view and produce a sharp image inside the area of interest. ALCAL fully mimics foveal vision, the eye's movement, and the eye's accommodationof distance variation. It provides 100% fill factor, polarization independence and high operational speed.In Phase I, POC will develop the theory and architecture of the ALCAL system for a near or mid infrared agile detecton and discrimination need. We will demonstrate a proof-of-concept prototype and will determine its switching speed, resolution, andinstantaneous field of view to any location in a wide field of view. In Phase II, a full-scale prototype will be developed. The proposed ALCAL system can be adapted for the visible and near-infrared spectral ranges and applied in industry for manufacturing monitoring and quality control, in preventive and predictive maintenance for inspection of industrial machinery, energyloss in buildings, thermographic inspections, in medicine for endoscopic examinations, and in police and security for wide FOV surveillance.

* Information listed above is at the time of submission. *

US Flag An Official Website of the United States Government