SBIR-STTR Award

The novel technique described in this proposal has the potential to dramatically reduce the drive power required by a resonant acousto-optic tunable filter (AOTF) device in the infrared wavelengths. A compact and on-is [110] acoustic wave propagation resonator using tellurium dioxide and/or the crystal family such as mercurous chloride and Ti-As-Se is proposed. This new approach has three advantages: highest figure of merit; highest resonant Q; and compact size resonator. This on-axis resonator will have gain of 7.5 times over off-axis resonant devices. In contrast to the current commercial off-axis AOTF, high drive power and large size are required for use at infrared wavelengths. Applicationstions in two- dimensional spectral images have the need to develop this new low drive power and compact AOTF for use at 2 to 5 microns wavelength. This new technique can be extended to longer infrared wavelengths.Commercial applications include spectral imaging, medical diagnostics, chemical process control, thermal emission diagnostics, toxic gas and liquid monitors, blood gas diagnostics, biochemistry, aerospace, planetary, and earth studies.

Keywords:
Phase_I, NASA, Abstract, FY94