All-Passive Nonreciprocal Power Limiters
ID: AF242-0010Type: BOTH
Overview

Topic

All-Passive Nonreciprocal Power Limiters

Agency

Department of DefenseN/A

Program

Type: SBIRPhase: BOTHYear: 2024

Topic Link

https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608191

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 the topic of "All-Passive Nonreciprocal Power Limiters" as part of their SBIR 24.2 Annual solicitation. The Air Force branch is specifically interested in this topic. The objective of this research is to design, fabricate, and characterize a new category of optical nonlinear metasurfaces that operate as asymmetric power limiters. These devices will be important for protecting sensitive equipment from external interference, particularly waves from different directions in free space. The proposed devices will be all passive, ultra-thin, and lightweight, making them suitable for mobile applications. They will provide an isolation larger than 10 dB and an insertion loss in the order of 1 dB over a wide range of input powers and angles of incidence.

The design of magnet-free nonreciprocal devices has recently gained attention due to the scarcity of magnetic materials and the incompatibility of magnetic materials with integration technologies. This call explores the application of nonlinear effects in asymmetric resonators to achieve nonreciprocity without the need for external modulation sources. Phase I of the project will involve modeling, designing, and carrying out preliminary fabrication experiments to demonstrate feasibility. Phase II will focus on improving various metrics of the devices, such as bandwidth, insertion loss, nonreciprocal power range, and incident angles range. Phase III will involve demonstrating the repeatability of the fabrication process, exploring civilian applications, and creating a partnership with industry for commercialization.

The project duration is not specified in the document, but the open date for proposals is May 15, 2024, and the close date is June 12, 2024. The funding specifics are not provided in the document. For more information and to submit a proposal, interested parties can visit the SBIR topic link at https://www.sbir.gov/node/2608191 or the solicitation agency URL at https://www.defensesbirsttr.mil/SBIR-STTR/Opportunities/.

Files
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