SBIR-STTR Award

Nova Photonics proposes to design an optical filter that will be tailored specifically to the submarine-laser communication application. The filter will be tunable/reconfigurable to operate at a set of chosen wavelengths within the 450 nm to 550 nm range. It will feature a field-of-view and bandpass that are optimized to take advantage of solar dark bands and available laser technology. It will have a large aperture and high transmission.

Benefit:
This optical filter can be used as part of a submarine/laser communication system that will enable high-data rate communications with submarines at speed and depth. Beyond this application, the features of the filter that make it optimal for this application are also advantageous for other systems which require sensitive detection and selectivity of light transmitted through seawater. These include airborne laser mine detection, marine mammal detection, and anti-submarine warfare within the Navy. Homeland security applications include video harbor monitoring, and commercial applications include monitoring of submerged platforms.

Keywords:
narrow bandwidth, narrow bandwidth, Wide Field-Of-View, optical filter

Nova Photonics proposes to design, fabricate, and characterize an optical filter that will be tailored to submarine-laser communication. The filter will be tunable/reconfigurable to operate at a set of chosen wavelengths within the 450 nm to 550 nm range. It will feature a wide field-of-view and bandpass that are optimized to take advantage of solar dark bands and available laser technology. It will have a large aperture and high transmission. During the Phase II base period a single aperture filter will be developed. During the Phase II option a multi-aperture filter will be developed to maximize the packing fraction and available viewing area provided on the underwater platform.

Benefit:
This optical filter can be used as part of a submarine/laser communication system that will enable high-data rate communications with submarines at speed and depth. Beyond this application, the features of the filter that make it optimal for this application are also advantageous for other systems which require sensitive detection and selectivity of light transmitted through seawater. These include airborne laser mine detection, marine mammal detection, and anti-submarine warfare within the Navy. Homeland security applications include video harbor monitoring, and commercial applications include monitoring of submerged platforms.

Keywords:
Wide Field-Of-View, narrow bandwidth, optical filter