OPTO-KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: OKSI will produce in Phase-I high efficiency gratings for imaging spectroscopy. These gra

Description

OKSI will produce in Phase-I high efficiency gratings for imaging spectroscopy. These gratings will be characterized using interferometry, optical microscopy, atomic force and scanning electron microscopy, to demonstrate the grating sub-micron accuracy and nanometer surface quality. The grating will also be characterized in an existing spectrometer to quantify straylight, diffraction efficiency at multiple orders and in zero order, ghosting, MTF, spot sizes at various wavelengths and multiple field angles, as well as aberrations such as smile and keystone. Results will also be compared with identical holographic gratings. BENEFIT: The process we propose will reduce today"s unaffordable cost of high-end grating that are used in spaceborne and planetary missions, and provide alternative to low efficiency gratings that are used by most industrial / commercial systems. All branches of the DoD, NASA, DoE, USDA, Commerce, NOAA, and other agencies have programs in hyperspectral imaging from spaceborne (ATREMIS, HyspIRI) to airborne (HyCAS, SPIRITT), to various ground based. High performance spectrometers are also essential for various commercial and industrial systems such as precision farming, factory automation and inspection. OKSI is a major supplier of such sensors to both government and commercial users, our sensors are routinely used in various DoD tests. This program will lead to improved performance spectrometers for all such applications.