Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 23a

Description

Climate system science is being developed by using more sophisticated measurement methods and analysis technologies, including more advanced measurement capabilities for cloud properties via unmanned aerial systems- To accomplish this goal, there is a need for a lightweight (<6 kg), low power (<150 W) high-resolution cloud particle spectrometer/ counter for ice nuclei number concentration measurement instruments on a small unmanned aircraft system, with capabilities to operate in Arctic conditions- To address this need, development of a new miniature holographic spectrometer is proposed to measure properties of aerosols, cloud droplets and/or glaciated hydrometeortres- The proposed system improves current measurement performance to provide high-resolution three-dimensional detection of the cloud ice nuclei, distinguishing size, shape, and density of cloud particles over a wide range of sizes, thus offering significant advancement in fundamental understanding and modelling of terrestrial-aerosol-cloud system critical to increased accuracy of global environmental models- The system is based on a multi-aperture coherent digital in-line holographic camera using short-pulse laser diode illumination source, and a tiled array of high- resolution low-power miniature complementary metal-oxide semiconductor sensors commercially produced at low cost- Applying innovations in miniature avionic instrumentations, the proposed system offers a compact, minimum-component, low-power, low-weight cloud ice nuclei particle detector highly suitable for small unmanned aerial vehicle payload and ruggedized for extreme (e-g-, Arctic) conditions- Throughout the development, the subcontractor will provide essential data, design feedback, and test capabilities-