SURFACE OPTICS CORP. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: CBD171-002

Description

A program to develop a compact, MLA-based, LWIR, full-motion-video hyperspectral imager for chemical detection is proposed. The proposed Hyperspectral Chemical Imaging Sensor (HyCIS) builds upon Surface Optics’ real-time hyperspectral imaging activities, including our 3D full-motion-video spectral imaging (FMV-SI) technology and our MIDIS hyperspectral image processor. Simultaneously sampling 16 or more spectral bands from 8 um to 12 um over a full two-dimensional field, the system is ideal for identifying and tracking chemicals of interest to modern warfare. Under the Phase II effort, the preliminary design developed under Phase I will be finalized, detailed and manufactured, producing a compact infrared full-motion video spectral imager appropriate for battery-operated handheld, fixed-site, vehicle-mounted, and small UAS applications; the system will include a compact, rugged, real-time spectral imager plus the real-time hyperspectral (HS) data processor. The proposed effort represents an extension of Surface Optics’ 27 years’ experience in hyperspectral imager design, and miniaturization of SOC’s patented real-time hyperspectral image processor for real-time hyperspectral discrimination. By building on Surface Optics Corporation’s experience in hyperspectral imaging system development, sensor development, and algorithm development, the proposed Phase II effort will produce a new MLA-based full-motion-video LWIR hyperspectral chemical imaging sensor of unsurpassed capability.