Spectropolarimetric Lenslet Array Multichannel Imager Docket: UAH-P-12012, UAH-P-12013 Technology A very thin, lightweight imaging system can be realized by employing a multi-aperture lenslet array to focus light from a scene directly onto a detector plane. However, a typical problem in such an imager is that, if it is exposed to hemispherical illumination without some kind of channel separation layer, the sub-images smear together and become unintelligible. Researchers at UAH have developed a multichannel thin imager, known as the Spectropolarimetric Lenslet Array Multichannel (SLAM) imager, which eliminates crosstalk so that each sub-image is clearly distinguished. This is accomplished without introduction of an additional separation layer, which must be fabricated and aligned in a way that provides both spectral and polarimetric resolution of the scene. The SLAM device can be slumped over a spherically-shaped tapered fiber array (also recently developed at UAH) to create a miniature artificial compound eye imager with a field-of-view up to 180 degrees. This device is much like an insect's eye, possesses a very large field-of-view, and uses a conventional planar detector. This represents the first compound eye system that is simple enough to manufacture economically. Applications Micro unmanned vehicles Imaging and sensing system for harsh environments Medical endoscopic Directional communication Range-finding Motion detection Advantages Thin/ lightweight Extremely high field-of-view Simple and robust Status State of Development: Proof of concept Licensing Status: Available for licensing Patent Status: Proprietary