Las Cruces, NM-July 18, 2018: Vista Photonics, Inc. was chosen to receive a Small Business Innovation Research Phase 1 award from the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The project, Highly Scalable Many Gas Optical Analyzer for Monitoring Submarine Atmospheres, was selected as part of the topic, Advanced Analyzers for Monitoring Submarine Atmosphere. The Phase 1 will investigate processes to analyze gases required on US Navy submarines, then develop a concept to determine the capability of the technology to perform its function within the conditions specified.  It will also demonstrate through analysis the feasibility of the concept in meeting Navy needs and establish that the sensor can reasonably be developed into a useful system for the Navy. 

"The proposed sensor will be cheap to maintain, require no precise optical alignment of lasers or high vacuum, have a quick initial startup time and a rapid individual reading update time, will be compact and lightweight, and will allow for flexible upgrades, all of which are anticipated benefits over the existing CAMS IIA system, " says Principal Investigator, Dr. Jeffrey S. Pilgrim. "The basic technology that will be developed for this project will extend to a broad variety of applications including, but not limited to environmental monitoring, process gas analysis, and/or occupational safety assurance."