The Defense Sciences Office (DSO) at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is soliciting innovative research proposals in the area of thermal imaging and infrared detection based on optomechanical sensors. Proposed research should investigate innovative approaches that enable revolutionary science, devices, or systems advances. Specifically excluded is research that primarily results in evolutionary improvements to the existing state of practice.
The OpTIm program seeks to build upon these nascent efforts to demonstrate a new class of room-temperature, integrated optomechanical IR detectors in the MWIR and LWIR regimes with performance metrics that bridge the gap between room temperature microbolometers and cryogenic, quantum-limited IR photodetectors. To this end, OpTIm will explore a diverse space of intrinsic IR-sensitive materials, nano-assembled metamaterials, and heterostructures that combine enhanced IR-absorption, multispectral, or polarization-sensitive IR capabilities with high-Q optomechanical resonator integration and quantum-limited optical readout.
Additional information regarding this BAA can be found at the following link: https://sam.gov/opp/ad090fdd991d4478b72efd30f37d89d0/view
Questions regarding this Special Notice should be emailed to OpTIm@darpa.mil.
Thank you for your interest in the Defense Sciences Office.