N111-039 TITLE: High Throughput, Waveguide Based, Non-Mechanical Laser Beam Steering

TECHNOLOGY AREAS: Sensors

ACQUISITION PROGRAM: Sea Shield, Surface Electronic Warfare Improvement Program (SEWIP), ACAT II

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-U.S. Passports): This topic is "ITAR Restricted." The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120 - 130, which control the export of defense-related material and services, including the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign Citizens may perform work under an award resulting from this topic only if they hold the "Permanent Resident Card", or are designated as "Protected Individuals" as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). If a proposal for this topic contains participation by a foreign citizen who is not in one of the above two categories, the proposal will be rejected.

OBJECTIVE: Develop novel, ultra-low size, weight, and power devices for electro-optic laser beam steering over a large field of regard with high optical throughput and low-unit cost.

DESCRIPTION: New innovations hold the promise of finally providing an Electro-Optic (EO) replacement for mechanical laser beam scanners. Recent advances in waveguide based EO scanners have enabled very large refractive scan angles (up to 270 degrees) with a simple, low electrode count in a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) package. Being ultra-low in power consumption, this device meets stringent energy conservation requirements for many applications. Improvements in devices such as these are sought. Of particular interest are fast scanning devices (>2 kHz) with high optical throughput (>80%) for eye-safe wavelengths (1.5 � 1.8 microns) that are also amenable to larger beam sizes (>1 cm). For example, new waveguide manufacturing techniques enable larger beam diameters, higher coupling efficiencies, and potentially dynamic two dimensional EO scanning. Furthermore, to meet often demanding requirements on pointing accuracy (can be sub-microradian), analog or refractive steering approaches are particularly attractive. The goal is a simple, cost effective, low SWaP EO laser beam scanner with a large field of regard (>50 degrees), fast scan rate (>2 kHz), and high optical throughput (>80%) for eye-safe wavelengths (1.5 � 1.8 microns) and large beam diameters (>1 cm).

PHASE I: Examine a specific innovative ultra-low SWaP laser beam steering technology, develop a concept, and design to meet the field of regard, scan rate, and throughput requirements. Because of its inherent vibration immunity and low power consumption, a non-mechanical solution is required. Experimental demonstrations that verify the feasibility of the approach are encouraged. At the end of phase I the proposing company should have a verified design to meet the aforementioned requirements.

PHASE II: The results of the feasibility phase should be analyzed and optimized to create a realistic experiment that proves the viability of the selected approach. The proposed solution developed in Phase I should be fully constructed into a working prototype system. The goal is to perform a demonstration in a relevant military environment.

PHASE III: During Phase III, the system developed in Phase II will be integrated into a wider tactical environment. Depending on the outcome of the research, the operation of the non-mechanical scanner will be assessed in a relevant, complex, and stressed environment with deployment on a variety of real world platforms.

PRIVATE SECTOR COMMERCIAL POTENTIAL/DUAL-USE APPLICATIONS: Ultra-low SWaP beam-steering technology will find utility in: laser projection systems, laser detection and ranging, heads-up displays, and free-space optical communications.

REFERENCES:
1. Scott R. Davis, et al, "Analog, non-mechanical beam-steerer with 80 degree field of regard", SPIE Proceedings Vol. 6971, Acquisition, Tracking, Pointing, and Laser Systems Technologies XXII, Stephen L. Chodos and William E. Thompson, eds., 24 March 2008

2. Scott R. Davis, et al, "Liquid Crystal Waveguides: New Devices Enabled by >1000 Waves of Optical Phase Control", SPIE Proceedings Vol. 7618, Emerging Liquid Crystal Technologies V, Liang-Chy Chien, ed., January 2010

KEYWORDS: beam scan; electro-optic; non-mechanical; waveguide; high throughput; low SWaP

** TOPIC AUTHOR (TPOC) **

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