Antenna Polarimetric Imaging Sensor to Detect IEDs Navy SBIR FY2004.2 - Quick Response Topics Sol No.: Navy SBIR FY2004.2 Topic No.: N04-901 Topic Title: Antenna Polarimetric Imaging Sensor to Detect IEDs Proposal No.: N042-901-0762 Firm: NovaSpectra, Inc. 777 Silver Spur Road Suite 112 Rolling Hills Estates, California 90274-3619 Contact: William Chan Phone: (310) 408-3225 Web Site: novaspectra.com Abstract: We propose to develop a dense micro antenna focal plane array (FPA) sensor for imaging polarized infrared (IR) emitted by man-made IEDs, emitting IR having a distinct polarization discriminating them from the randomly-polarized IR emitted by the natural background. Each pixel of this FPA consists of two micro dipole antennas disposed orthogonally to each other to detect two planar polarized LWIR. The signals from these are read out independently so that they can be summed vectorially to maximize contrast irrespective of the direction of polarization of the IR emitted by the IED, identifying it with little post-sensor data processing. The entire FPA is processed by CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) and MEMS (micro electro-mechanical system) processes. Phase 1 will design the FPA structure and layout, delineate the processes for fabrication and fabricate a simple structure to demonstrate its fabricability. Benefits: Thermal imaging, gas sensing, safety and security, space exploration, medical imaging Return