CFD RESEARCH CORPORATION — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: A20-044

Description

Conventional IR optics are large and bulky, which can hinder the performance of SWAP constrained platforms in Soldier borne sensors and night vision goggles. While conventional optics achieve focusing power through gradual phase accumulation in thick materials, a new class of material, metasurfaces, can achieve this same effect on flat surfaces using subwavelength features that produce abrupt phase shifts. While much effort has gone into designing metasurfaces for imaging applications, creating a metasurface lens that focuses a broad band of wavelengths to a single spot has remained an open challenge. In this effort, we propose to design an achromatic LWIR metasurface lens using inverse design and fabricate a proof of principle device. Inverse methods are advantageous as they allow the designer to set complex target goals in the far field and achieve optimized geometry and spacing for the metasurface. Success in this project will pave the way for a new generation of IR sensing devices that will enhance the situational awareness, survivability, and lethality of the Warfighter. We have assembled a well-rounded industry-academic team with expertise in all facets of the proposed research to ensure successful completion of project milestones.