AFRL agreement with Advanced Optical Technologies, Inc. supports tech transfer

  • Published
  • By Kirtland Public Affairs

The AFRL Directed Energy Directorate in New Mexico recently signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with Advanced Optical Technologies, Inc. that allows AOT the use of advanced Air Force instrumentation at AOT's new facility in the Sandia Science & Technology Park. 

The instrumentation was developed by AOT for DoD contracts here over the past 12 years. The CRADA, which has a term of five years with options to renew up to 20, will facilitate transition of AOT's multi-dimensional laser sensors and metrology to aerospace, defense, manufacturing, and environmental markets. 

"AOT develops multi-dimensional sensors for space classification, material-mapping and assessment, and non-destructive testing, and supporting models and metrology for machine vision and graphics, manufacturing control, and photonic materials," said Directed Energy Director Dr. Kelly Hammett. "Highlights of AOT's laser-polarization and surface metrology were published in the recent journal articles "Bistatic Laser Polarimeter Calibrated to 1% at Visible-SWIR Wavelengths." 

AOT officials were equally pleased with the continuing partnership. 

"It's gratifying to see the Air Force recognize the success and commercialization of our technology and facilitate a quick turnaround for the new CRADA," AOT CEO Malini Hoover said. "This CRADA will benefit the government, the private sector, and the scientific community. The most effective deployment of such specialized instrumentation is in the hands of those who know how to get the most out of it, and that's us." 

For more information about AOT, visit http://www.advanced-optical.com.