Large Aperture Agile Scanning Mirror Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2016.1 Topic No.: N161-006 Topic Title: Large Aperture Agile Scanning Mirror Proposal No.: N161-006-0707 Firm: i-CORE Technology, LLC. 400 Orchard Drive Louisville, Colorado 80027 Contact: Akihiro Mochizuki Phone: (303) 885-5745 Abstract: Liquid crystal based optical phased arrays are highly promising among modern approaches to realize large aperture agile scanning mirrors for passive and active optical remote sensors. The variety of such arrays (dynamically written pixels, prisms, lenses) suggests their high potential to overcome limitations of mechanical and electro-mechanical scanning imaging systems. First, by their nature, liquid crystal based devices are electronically switchable and eliminate any need for mechanical movements, provide such benefits as a fast speed, lightweight, low power consumption, high accuracy, reliability, and insensitivity to vibrations. To their advantage, the mentioned characteristics provided by liquid crystal materials are as a given. Second, specifically to one of the approaches described in this proposal - a sequence of three micro-lens arrays, with one in the middle dynamically shifted with respect to the others, presents a highly promising solution to create large apertures and large sweep angles non-mechanical scanning mirror for an airborne optical sensor. The device promises to provide any pattern of the scans and the correction for aircraft motions, air turbulence, and other disturbing factors. Also, making this technology suitable for fabrication on display production lines will significantly shorten the transition from the research and prototyping to the mass production. Benefits: Liquid crystals as reliable optical materials already demonstrated their success in opening a more than 150 billion units/year industry of traditional liquid crystal displays. They made possible a revolutionary transition from CRT's (with all the drawbacks of their weight, size, and power consumption) to modern displays, cell phone screens, and TVs. These materials continue to impress us by providing opportunity for building flexible displays and 3D-image displays. At the same time, we are witnessing the innovative role of liquid crystals in many non-display related devices. For example, they substitute solid state materials in microwave radars for military applications. Creating a liquid crystal lens with electrically changeable focus offers unprecedented opportunities in optical industry. Regarding to the outcome of this project, liquid crystal based scanning mirrors will find virtually unlimited market - from consumer home security and fire alarm systems and scanning devices to more sophisticated, such as artificial eyes and LIDAR systems. Return