Light sources and detectors are essential components of infrared (IR) sensing systems. However, many other optical beam control components such as diffractive optical elements (DOE), spatial light modulators (SLM), optical micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), optical phased arrays (OPA), optical filters, optical isolators, optical limiters, and other devices are also required. For the visible spectrum (0.4-0.7 micron), near infrared (0.7-1.4 micron), short-wavelength infrared (1.4-3 micron), there are many available commercially-off-the-shelf (COTS) devices and technologies. However, for the mid-wavelength infrared (3-8 micron) and long-wavelength infrared (8-15 micron), the choice of the optical beam control devices and technologies is limited. Therefore, we continue searching for innovative beam control technologies for IR sensing applications. The number of applications is virtually unlimited: laser detection and ranging (LADAR), infrared countermeasures (IRCM), infrared scene projectors (IRSP), multispectral and hyperspectral imaging (MSI and HSI) systems, and so on. The demand for new enabling technologies and solutions is growing.

 

References

Yuan X, et.al: “Micromirror Array Simulation and Far-field Diffraction Analysis”. Proceedings of SPIE: 9097-0I, 2014

“Laser Radar: Progress and Opportunities in Active Electro-Optical Sensing”. National Research Council, 2014: ISBN 978-0-309-30216-6

Vella JH, et.al: “Experimental Realization of a Reflective Optical Limiter”. Physical Review Applied 5: 064010, 2016

Anisimov I, et.al: “Infrared Dynamic Scene Projectors: Technical Challenges and System Requirements”. 2016 GOMAC Tech Conference (Unlimited distribution version of the paper is available from the author upon request)

Anisimov I, “Developing Innovative Solutions for Infrared Sensing Applications in Collaboration with Air Force”. 2016 IEEE NAECON

 

key words

optical phased array; MEMS; beam steering; beam combining; spatial light modulator; infrared; diffractive optics; optical isolator; optical limiter

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