Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: CBD171-004

Description

To address the DoDs Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) program need for the development of real-time analytical technology for multicomponent vapor identification and quantification, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Photoacoustic Gasses Optical Detector and Analyzer (PAGODA). It is based on a new system design that utilizes a novel, POC-developed photoacoustic transducer and COTS components. Specifically, the innovation in the transducer and the device structure will enable the detection and quantitative analysis of airborne chemical threats in a compact, lightweight, and inexpensive package, which directly addresses the CBD program requirements for an affordable, quick-response, compact, and lightweight, and power-efficient open-path construct. In Phase I, POC will demonstrate the feasibility of PAGODA by analysis and modeling of the device, and prototyping the novel transducer in order to develop a theoretical performance model, reaching TRL-3, and to drive the preliminary design constraints for a Phase II demonstration system. In Phase II, POC plans to build and optimize the performance of a PAGODA prototype based on the outcome of the Phase I feasibility study and then test it in a laboratory authorized to handle and manipulate the various CWAs and TICs, thus reaching TRL-6.