BOULDER NONLINEAR SYSTEMS, INC.
Contract: $299,998 - National Institute of Standards and Technology - Jun. 23, 2009
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Award Description: There are many applications for hyperspectral image detectors, but for the detectors to be widely accepted standardized calibration protocols must be developed. This research aims to bridge this gap through the development of a commecially available hyperspectral image projector (HIP) system. The proposed effort is to build a prototype visible HIP system to generate calibrqated, realistic imagery with enough fidelity such that, from the viewpoint of the sensor under test, the scene is indistinguishable from the real-world. This system will incorporate two liquid crystal on silicon spatial light modulators (SLM). The first SLM will be used in the spectral engine as a programmable amplitude modulator that will selectively transmit spectral components of a broadband input source. The output of the spectral engine will be fed into a spatial engine, where a second SLM will be used to generate two dimensional scenes. The scenes will be imaged onto a unit under test, and used to quantitatively calibrate the detector. This research will mark the first step toward development of a commecially available hyperspectral detector calibration system. One application for hyperspectral image detectors can be found in medical diagnostics, ranging from cancer and tumor detection to burn quantification. In order for the technology to be integrated into optical medical imaging systems, a standardized set of simulated scenes must be generated to calibrate hyperspectral detectors. Without the standarized calibration offered by the HIP system, hyperspectral detectors cannot be safely introduced into the medical community. Beyond medical diagnostics, applications can be found in: factory callibration of CMOS sensors, quality control of photographic film materials, remote sensing, and machine vision simulation. Additionally the spectral engine can be sold as a stand alone product that would fit well within a pulse shaping systems.
Project Description: During the first quarter of the project the proposaed plan was to model the opticaal design in ZEMAX, and search vendors for broadband optical components. During this reporting period the following tasks were completed. First, a source was selected, and an illumination optical system was designed to maximize throughput and broadband uniformity in the slit. Second, a dispersive grating was selected for the spectral engine such that the spectral components are nearly spread across the first SLM. Third, The complete optical layout within the spectral engine was designed, and modeled in ZEMAX. Fourth, Test cells were built and measured in the spectrometer so that contrast ratio, optical response versus voltage, and response time could be measured. From this testing a liquid crystal could be selected, as well as a backplane. Backplane selection was important as this determines the pixel pitch, which affects the optical design and the dimensions of the optical components.
Jobs Summary: Two engineering positions were retained at Boulder Nonlinear Systems as a result of this Contract. (Total jobs reported: 2)
Project Status: Less Than 50% Completed
This award's data was last updated on Jun. 23, 2009. Help expand these official descriptions using the wiki below.
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