The DARPA OpTIm program: infrared imaging at the quantum limits

The DARPA Optomechanical Thermal Imaging (OpTIm) program seeks to develop a novel modality of low-SWaP quantum-limited infrared detection. Building upon proof-of-concept studies and detailed noise analyses, the OpTIm device concept amalgamates high performance optomechanical sensors, quantum-limited all-optical readout techniques, and spectrally resolved metamaterial-based IR absorbers to realize several order-of-magnitude improvements in both IR sensitivity and detection speed. I will give a brief overview of the OpTIm program concept, the over-arching goals of this program, and a summary of innovations that have resulted from the program thus far. I will also describe the numerous technological applications and opportunities that are engendered by the novel capabilities of OpTIm imaging systems.