Meta-Microlens Array for Efficient Optical Coupling to SPAD Arrays

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Groups at Harvard, Yale and MIT and other institutions have developed metalenses that demonstrate vastly superior focusing performance to existing, refractive lenses. We shall investigate and report the advantages and tradeoffs of metalenses for coupling to single-photon avalanche diode (SPAD) arrays.

Benefits

Investigate the use of metalenses to replace traditional refractive lenses for efficient optical coupling to detector arrays, with the goal to demonstrate >2x increase in focusing performance, with comparable lensing efficiency.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Optical Components
Program	Center Innovation Fund: LaRC CIF (LaRC CIF)
Lead organization	Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

John A Smith — john.a.smith-3@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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