FOMS INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: AF151-143

Description

ABSTRACT:FOMS Inc. proposes to develop revolutionary High Power Robust Optical Deflector (HIPROD) to address the capability gap in non-mechanical beam steering for coherent Synthetic Aperture LADAR (SAL) for the needs of the Air Force. The design is based on a stack of novel optical switching elements with industry proven reliability for aerospace applications and capability of high power handling for desired operating wavelengths around 1.5 microns. The system ideally suits Air Force requirements of random access to steering directions, reduced weight, size and power as well as high speed of beam deflection, low cost and low insertion loss. The proposed approach delivers the capability to address both the system designs with linear and 2D scanning while ensuring the phase preservation for coherent operating mode. In Phase I we will experimentally demonstrate the scanning capability of preliminary HIPROD design with switching speeds higher than 1 kHz and steering increments of less than 1 degree. Design challenges and tradeoffs will be identified. In Phase II the updated HIPROD design will be analyzed for steering efficiency limitations, environmental stability and manufacturability. In order to confirm the compatibility with coherent LADAR systems we will evaluate the HIPROD operation in an arm of interferometer. BENEFIT:The new highly reliable and low cost deflector provides a true 3D acquisition engine for upcoming 3D printing and imaging revolution. The high speed scanning capability will enable real time 3D digitizing of the surrounding areas for proximity awareness in both military and civilian vessels as including driverless cars and small flying residential delivery platforms. A wide variety of applications from virtual reality and gaming to security and safety monitoring will be enabled with this revolutionary system. The ability to handle high operating powers in an eye safe spectral region in combination with small size, weight and power make the system ideal for remote coherent imaging using airborne and orbital platforms.