SBIR/STTR Award attributes
To address the Air Force need for remote detection of low-level Earth surface vibrations via detection of diffusely modulated light, Physical Optics Corporation (POC) proposes to complete the development of a new Vibration Detection and Material Identification (VDMI) sensor system. The sensor offers microradian vibration sensitivity and real-time material spectral signature monitoring by measurement of sunlight scattered by the Earth’s surface and its color index taken from hundreds of kilometers. In Phase I, POC successfully demonstrated the feasibility the VDMI sensor by detection of vibrations from a 1 km distance with 1 3 micron amplitudes under sunlight illumination; and demonstrated material recognition with samples of different materials. The Phase I prototype is currently at technology readiness level (TRL) 4. Our estimates indicate that design improvements will substantially increase the reliability of measurement of low-level vibrations of the Earth surface from low/geosynchronous Earth orbit (LEO/GEO) satellites, keep the high sensitivity to vibrations for wideband frequency range while meeting requirements for size, weight, and power (SWaP), and operate satisfactorily under its required environmental conditions. In Phase II, POC will develop a sensor applicable for airborne platforms and verify its performance under different environmental conditions and in varied locations, reaching TRL-6.
