Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: N161-055

Description

To address the Navys need for a passive electro-optic/infrared imager capable of fog penetration, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Polarimetric, Multispectral, Passive E/O-IR Imager (POMPEII) based on a novel combination of multispectral and polarimetric imaging techniques that maximize the signal-to-noise ratio and eliminates artifacts. Specifically, POCs innovative use of multispectral imaging in wavelength bands where the scattering due to fog and aerosols is minimal, coupled with its polarimetric imaging techniques to enhance the image contrast and eliminate the effects of scattered light, without requiring assumptions to be made about the scene, will enable the system to provide enhanced target detection, tracking, and identification in low-visibility environments. Using POMPEII, operators of shipboard and aerial surveillance systems will be able to monitor targets regardless of visibility conditions. POMPEII will offer an extended range of performance, thus ensuring rapid acquisition of necessary information. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of POMPEII by comparing the range and image quality of POMPEII with a baseline and state-of-the-art systems via simulation and experiment. In Phase II, POC plans to develop a stand-alone imager capable of real-time measurements, with a 10X improvement in detection and recognition range over current systems.