SBIR / STTR #OSD

Solicitation for Analog Optical Devices for MWIR Thermal Imaging Systems Using Metasurfaces

This opportunity from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), DOW office, seeks innovative solutions for analog optical devices in MWIR thermal imaging systems. - Government Buyer: - Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), DOW - Products/Services Requested: - Patterned metasurface-based analog optical devices for front-end image processing in MWIR thermal imaging systems - Design and demonstration of proof-of-concept devices under realistic MWIR illumination - Technical Requirements: - Devices must use MWIR-compatible materials (e.g., silicon, gallium arsenide, or other high-index transparent dielectrics) - Scalable fabrication methods required - Address impact of partial coherence on device performance - Develop predictive design rules linking source coherence, transfer function, contrast, throughput, SNR, and numerical-aperture compatibility - Preference for broadband MWIR operation, low SWaP (size, weight, and power), and clear integration paths into deployable sensing architectures - Approaches enabling tunability at electro-optical speeds are highly desired - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Emphasis on analog image processing at the optical front-end - Proof-of-concept demonstration under realistic conditions is mandatory - No specific OEMs or vendors are named in the solicitation.

Description

This solicitation seeks novel devices to operate directly in the optical path of thermal-imaging systems to perform front-end analog image processing, aiming to reduce computational burden on downstream electronics. The devices should be based on patterned metasurfaces using practical MWIR-compatible materials such as silicon or gallium arsenide, suitable for scalable fabrication. Offerors must address the effect of partial coherence on device performance and develop predictive design rules linking various optical parameters. Preference is given to broadband MWIR operation, low SWaP burden, and integration potential in deployable sensing architectures, with interest in electro-optical tunability. The successful team will design and demonstrate proof-of-concept devices under realistic illumination conditions.

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