SBIR Phase II: Integrated Lens-Laser Packaging Approach
This Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project is to develop an integrated optical and electrical packaging technique that allows for the precision placement of high density, large arrays of VCSELs, LEDs, or photodetectors coupled with arrays of microlenses. The project extends the limits of integration for device to device pitch, and device counts, of VCSELs and microlenses that have not previously been achieved. This innovation has immediate application to existing computed radiography, scanning and printing applications. The computed radiography market is $1B annually, and is shared by U.S. and Japanese companies. The proposed innovation enables smaller, more reliable and higher resolution systems. In the long run, the application of precision optical assembly techniques may have an impact on the revolution taking place in chemical, biological and medical analytical instrument and sensing devices. less This Phase II Small Business Innovation Research project is to develop an integrated optical and electrical packaging technique that allows for the precision placement of high density, large arrays of VCSELs, LEDs, or photodetectors coupled with arrays of microlenses. The project extends the limits of integration for device to device pitch, and device counts, of VCSELs and microlenses that have not previously been achieved. This innovation has immediate application to existing computed radiography, scanning and printi... more
The postdoctoral applicant would develop and demonstrate concepts for near infrared based medical imaging and sensing applications that would benefit from the performance characteristics of Vixar's VCSEL products and the unique packaging developed under our SBIR grant. Characteristics of interest possessed by the VCSELs include a very narrow spectrum (<20 degrees) and a very flexible packaging capability (e.g. multiple wavelengths in one surface mount package, chip on board). The packaging developed under the grant allows for very small size packages and conditioning of the optical beam in materials that are biocompatible.
Working with Vixar personnel, the applicant would identify an interesting sensing/imaging application, and develop a sensor platform including laser source(s), detector(s), data acquisition electronics and software algorithms. The sensor would be demonstrated using a relevant phantom model.
As an example, an area of significant interest is optical biopsy, i.e. the ability to distinguish benign from malignant tumors using near infrared based diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging or sensing. The project would involve designing a miniaturized apparatus which would provide the illumination to the tissue, detect and amplify the scattered light, and reconstruct an image of the tissue using optical image processing algorithms. The key goal will be to develop a system with the size and footprint relevant to clinical applications.
The research fellow would possess knowledge in one or more of the following areas:
- interaction of light with tissue - state of the art research in approaches for diffuse optical spectroscopic imaging (DOSI) - data processing algorithms for DOSI - design of data acquisition electronics for DOSI - knowledge of optoelectronic components relevant to Near-infrared spectroscopic sensors or DOSI - knowledge of medical conditions benefiting from near-infrared sensing or imaging and the medical practitioner's requirements for sensing and imaging devices.
