Liquid Crystalline Devices for Non-mechanical Beam Steering for Air and Space Applications

OUSD (R&E) MODERNIZATION PRIORITY: Network Command, Control and Communications; General Warfighting Requirements (GWR) TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Sensors; Electronics; Space Platform; Materials; Air Platform The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. Please direct questions to the Air Force SBIR/STTR HelpDesk: usaf.team@afsbirsttr.us. OBJECTIVE: The application of liquid crystalline devices for optical sensors and communications has cross-domain and cross armed service branch impacts. The objective of this research and development is to assess and improve the manufacturing processes and quality assurance processes for LCDs for air and space applications. This includes maturing the design and integration strategies that directly affect manufacturability. A desirable end state would be a thorough assessment of technology and manufacturing readiness and demonstrations of air and space worthiness for extreme environments. These are some of the final barriers to entry for this technology. DESCRIPTION: Ultrathin, planar, non-mechanical optical beam steering devices using liquid crystal materials and manufacturing has been researched and developed by AFRL and partners over the past ten years for air and space defense applications. Not only do LC's present enhanced functional capabilities in addition to beam steering (e.g. spectral filtering and variable focusing), they also drastically reduce the system mass, power, and mechanical complexity (i.e. SWaP) relative to conventional optics and opto-mechanics. The technology is at a point where it would greatly benefit from ManTech investment to investigate: - MRL assessment and baseline - Quality and uniformity within manufacturing process - Air an d space worthiness considerations within manufacturing process and possible in-line article testing - Integration and interface considerations within design and manufacturing process - Analysis of cost-drivers and manufacturing challenges - Implementation of process improvements to address above PHASE I: This topic is intended for a D2P2, therefore a Phase I award is not required. This topic is intended for technology proven ready to move directly into a Phase II. The offeror is required to provide detail and documentation in the Direct to Phase II proposal which demonstrates accomplishment of a Phase I-like effort, including a feasibility study and any reports/documentation the support moving D2P2. This includes determining the scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas appearing to have potential. The company must have an existing manufacturing process in place. It must have validated the product-market fit between the proposed solution and a potential DAF stakeholder. The offeror should have defined a clear, immediately actionable plan with the proposed solution and the DAF customer. The feasibility study should have: -Identified how this technology is enhancing state-of-the-art and current fielded solutions and manufacturing processes -Described integration cost and feasibility with current mission-specific products; -Described if/how the demonstration can be used by other DoD or Governmental customers. PHASE II: Eligibility for D2P2 is predicted on the offeror having performed a "Phase-I-like" effort, predominantly separate from the SBIR programs. Under the Phase II effort, the offeror shall sufficiently develop the technical approach and process in order to conduct a small number of enhanced manufacturing demonstrations. Identification of manufacturing/production issues and/or business model modifications required to further improve product or process relevance to improved costs, availability, or safety, should be documented. These Phase II awards are intended to provide a path to commercialization, not the final step for the proposed solution. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: The contractor will pursue commercialization of the various technologies and processes developed in Phase II for transitioning expanded mission capability to a broad range of potential government and civilian users and alternate mission applications. Direct access with end users and government customers will be provided with opportunities to receive Phase III awards for providing the government additional research & development, or direct procurement of products and services developed in coordination with the program. A Phase III award may include a technology/prototype demonstration, with feasibility in both air and space applications. REFERENCES: Tabiryan, N. V., Roberts, D. E., Liao, Z., Hwang, J.-Y., Moran, M., Ouskova, O., Pshenichnyi, A., Sigley, J., Tabirian, A., Vergara, R., De, L., Kimball, B. R., Steeves, D. M., Slagle, J., McConney, M. E., Bunning, T. J., Advances in Transparent Planar Optics: Enabling Large Aperture, Ultrathin Lenses. Adv. Optical Mater. 2021, 9, 2001692. https://doi.org/10.1002/adom.202001692 KEYWORDS: Liquid Crystalline Devices; Non-mechanical Beam Steering; Ultrathin; Planar; Optical; Optics; Gimbal-less;