Wide Field-of-View, Compact Compound Meta-lenses for Visible-to-Near-Infrared Spectral Range and with 100X Size and Weight Reduction
ID: N24B-T030Type: Phase I
Overview

Topic

Wide Field-of-View, Compact Compound Meta-lenses for Visible-to-Near-Infrared Spectral Range and with 100X Size and Weight Reduction

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: STTRPhase: Phase IYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2605983

Additional Information

https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/
Timeline
  1. 1
    Release Apr 17, 2024 12:00 AM
  2. 2
    Open May 15, 2024 12:00 AM
  3. 3
    Next Submission Due Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
  4. 4
    Close Jun 12, 2024 12:00 AM
Description

The Department of Defense (DOD) is seeking proposals for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program focused on the development of wide field-of-view, compact compound meta-lenses for the visible-to-near-infrared spectral range. The objective is to create a novel, lightweight, and compact lens composed of multiple metasurfaces that can provide an ultrawide field of view for imaging and surveillance applications. Wide-angle lenses are challenging to create due to their short focal lengths and large lens components. The use of metasurfaces, which are 2D arrays of nanoscale optical scattering elements, offers a promising solution. Metasurfaces can bend light beams by large angles with high efficiency, making them ideal for creating wide-angle coverage and compact imaging optics. The meta-lens system should meet specific criteria, including diffraction-limited focal spots, high optical transmission, and a weight below 100 mg. The project will be conducted in three phases, starting with the demonstration of the metasurface design methodology and feasibility in Phase I, followed by the design, prototyping, and integration with a high-definition camera system in Phase II. Phase III will focus on transitioning the technology to Navy use. The development of wide-angle meta-lenses based on metasurfaces has the potential to revolutionize optical instrumentation and impact various fields such as computational imaging, active wavefront manipulation, and sensing.

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