Basic Research for Electro-Optic/Infrared (EO/IR) Sensors and Sensor Processing
Funding Agency:
- Department of Defense
Proposed research topics are sought to explore the space of the fundamental limit of infrared detection using completely novel architectures, materials, light-matter interactions, or some other novel means. This is a request for basic research topics to better understand the physics and quantum limitations of infrared detection beyond our current understanding, even fundamentally exploring how to overcome the shot noise and BLIP limits without sacrificing response speed or sensitivity. Example areas of research include (but not limited to) high-gain processes such as avalanche, phonon assisted gain, and stochastic photon methods. All topics should be passive based, that is, they should improve the understanding in imaging and detection without the use of active IR illumination.
Concepts are sought that explore ways in which uncooled infrared detectors and no cold shield, can achieve greater than >25 mK sensitivity and >100 kHz imaging bandwidth across most, if not all, of either the MWIR or LWIR imaging bands.
Since this is a call for basic research topics, there is no requirement to demonstrate imaging or build an imaging array. However concepts, should discuss how the proposed method could one day be scaled up and be manufactured into a focal plane array (FPA) of comparable resolution and pixel size to those available on the market today. If this isn’t known now, then discuss how the research plan will answer make progress to answering this question.
Topics should specifically avoid proposals that are duplicative of those being sought in the DAPRA OPTIM program. While the end goal for this program is similar, the proposed methods for studying the problem should fundamentally not be duplicated.
Multiple awards are anticipated
$4,500,000,000
Full proposals should be submitted under N0001424SB001 by 18 DEC 2023.
Veronica Lacey Grantor Phone 703-696-2593
Buiness POC