SBIR-STTR Award

In this Phase 1 SBIR project, Oblate Optics will demonstrate feasibility of this innovative technology by creating the optical system with these nominal specifications (which can be adjusted based on input from stakeholders): l = 500nm to 12mm, effective focal length = 100mm, diameter = 100mm, and with as high a performance as as possible. We propose to use single-point diamond turning of Potassium Bromide (which we have prior experience with) using a commercially-available diamond-turning process for the final device. This process is extensible to larger apertures as required. After fabrication of prototypes, we will characterize their performance by measuring the wavelength-resolved point-spread function utilizing facilities at the Naval Research Laboratories (see letter of support attached). The performance will be compared against alternatives. However, we note that we are not aware of alternatives that cover this wavelength range, therefore comparison can only be made to separate optical systems that cover smaller portions of the total wavelength range.

We have designed, fabricated, and validated a single-lens system capable of imaging across an unprecedented spectral range—from visible to LWIR. This technology enables multi-spectral imaging using a single optical aperture. Building on our prior work demonstrating landcover classification from spectral data using machine learning, we now propose to develop an ESPA-class satellite-compatible imager payload that captures Vis-NIR and LWIR imagery and generates actionable target-classification maps through neural network processing. This compact, low-cost, and low-SWaP system is designed for scalable deployment in satellite constellations. Importantly, the novel optics at the core of this imager are fully manufacturable within the United States, supporting domestic supply chain resilience.