Physical Optics Corporation — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: To address the Army"s need for compact, high-intensity, low-cost, and freestanding li

Description

To address the Army"s need for compact, high-intensity, low-cost, and freestanding lighting sources for high-speed photography applications, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to develop a new Compact High Intensity Illumination Source (CHIIS). This proposed system is based on the novel integration of an array of high-intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, optical reflectors, digital ballast, and wireless remote trigger. The innovation in using commercial HID bulbs, new design of optical reflectors, and lightweight and structurally strong materials, will enable CHIIS to achieve high-intensity illumination at low power consumption and low cost of manufacturing. As a result, this system offers illumination of 300,000 lumens over a 5 ft^2 area, size of about 0.125 ft^3, weight of<25 lb, cost of<$330/unit, and free standing capabilities, which directly address the Army requirements. In Phase I POC plans to study the need for such illumination source; design the illuminator through theoretical analysis; develop a prototype for feasibility study; study the environmental and safety concerns; and define metrics for Phase II progress monitoring. In Phase II, we will conduct a design review of the prototype CHIIS; fabricate and deliver two CHIIS prototypes to ARL for further testing.