NANOHMICS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: SB172-010

Description

For improving thermal imager performance in the presence of obscurants, Nanohmics, Inc., proposes to develop a compact, rugged, light-weight, electronically tunable bandpass filter based on microfabricated graphene-integrated metasurfaces, operating in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) spectral band, 7.5-12 m. With no moving parts, the proposed tunable bandpass filter is rugged and insensitive to vibration. It will be designed to be an order of magnitude smaller in thickness (<5 mm) and weight than existing tunable filters. In Phase I Nanohmics will demonstrate the feasibility of a high-performance tunable filter by designing, microfabricating, and testing a proof-of-concept filter with TRL 3. Modeling and electromagnetic simulation will help to optimize design and support development of the fabrication process. Phase I results from laboratory tests and modeling will strengthen the design for a scaled-up Phase II prototype at TRL 5, with faster switching time (<1 ms), higher rejection (OD>3), and increased independence on polarization. The rapidly tunable metasurface comprises an array of nanoantennas, an approach that leverages standard materials and microfabrication techniques to reduce costs and provide a rapid route to commercialization. The tunable filter will be further developed for LWIR sensors to improve visibility in the presence of obscurants.