Form 9.B Project Summary

Chron: 971819

Proposal Number: 14.05-2820

Project Title: A Small Rugged Uncooled LWIR Hyperspectral Imager

Technical Abstract (Limit 200 words)

By optimally sampling the spectrally encoded output from a Fourier-Transform Interferometer with an imager consisting of a staring, uncooled microbolometer Focal Plane Array Camera, Visidyne proposes to develop a Spectral Imager capable of acquiring simultaneous high resolution Thermal Infrared (TIR), spectral and spatial data. The design provides for a complete trade-off, if so desired, between frame rate, spectral resolution, spectral coverage, and sensitivity, and allows such tradeoffs to be made in real time in the field or in orbit. Key to the design is the capability to precisely and rapidly position the interferometer moving mirror, which makes it possible at one extreme to generate broad-band images (the imaging radiometer or FLIR mode), while at the other extreme maintaining a spectral resolution of / 1% (the hyperspectral imaging mode). In the latter mode, the rapid mirror positioning capability can be used to selectively under-sample the interferogram, which produces high spectral resolution over a limited spectral band width. The concept addresses NASA's stated need for hyperspectral imaging instrumentation for Mission To Planet Earth-observing and other exploration programs with a design that is logistically undemanding in terms of size, weight, power, and that requires no cooling.

Potential Commercial Applications (Limit 200 words)

The availability of a dependable, small, rugged uncooled instrument to measure thermal infrared spectral an spatial emissions opens up new commercial possibilities for such applications as the Driver Vision Enhancement, environmental monitoring and of course remote sensing, which is become increasingly commercialized.

Name and Address of Principal Investigator (Name,

Organization Name, Mail Address, City/State/Zip)

Mr. Geert Wyntjes

Visidyne, Inc.

10 Corporate Place

Burlington , MA 01803

Name and Address of Offeror (Firm Name, Mail Address,

City/State/Zip)

Mr. John W. Bates

Visidyne, Inc.

10 Corporate Place

Burlington , MA 01803