Kent Optronics, Inc. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N211-005

Description

In this SBIR Phase I proposal, Kent Optronics proposes to design, develop and mature a packaged, high-throughput, non-mechanical beam steering (NMBS) device that is able to maintain stable operation with multiple-wavelength laser sources in the 2-5mm midwave infrared (MWIR) band with wide steering angle of 30° (horizontal) ´ 5° (vertical), fast speed of 1 kHz, high beam quality of M2>1.5, high efficiency >50%, and high optical power on target of >10W. The NMBS technology is based on the liquid crystal waveguide 2-dimensional beam steering device developed by the NRL group with the principle proposed by Vescent Photonics. The ultimate goal is to achieve and deliver a fully functional MWIR NMBS package with technology readiness level (TRL)³8/9 that can be mass-produced with manufacturing readiness level (MRL)³7 in five (5) years after the project starts. Phase I efforts are to design, develop, and demonstrate feasibility of the refractive NMBS device in MWIR with improved optical performance and the MRL assessment. In Phase II, fully packaged NMBS prototype will be developed, qualified and delivered, reach TRL>6 and MRL³5. In this SBIR Phase I proposal, Kent Optronics proposes to design, develop and mature a packaged, high-throughput, non-mechanical beam steering (NMBS) device that is able to maintain stable operation with multiple-wavelength laser sources in the 2-5mm midwave infrared (MWIR) band with wide steering angle of 30° (horizontal) ´ 5° (vertical), fast speed of 1 kHz, high beam quality of M2>1.5, high efficiency >50%, and high optical power on target of >10W. The NMBS technology is based on the liquid crystal waveguide 2-dimensional beam steering device developed by the NRL group with the principle proposed by Vescent Photonics. The ultimate goal is to achieve and deliver a fully functional MWIR NMBS package with technology readiness level (TRL)³8/9 that can be mass-produced with manufacturing readiness level (MRL)³7 in five (5) years after the project starts. Phase I efforts are to design, develop, and demonstrate feasibility of the refractive NMBS device in MWIR with improved optical performance and the MRL assessment. In Phase II, fully packaged NMBS prototype will be developed, qualified and delivered, reach TRL>6 and MRL³5.