Newsletters: 2004, Issue 2

Research Support Instruments and
Q-Peak: Divisions With a Difference

Physical Sciences Inc. is a highly diversified and capable research and development company. However, we have recognized that it sometimes makes sense to acquire a capability rather than develop it internally. This has happened twice in our corporate history, with the acquisition of Research Support Instruments in 1990 and Q-Peak in 2001. In both cases, PSI had collaborated with these companies on major government-funded programs, and they continue to make significant contributions to PSI's growth.

The RSI and Q-Peak divisions have formed important relationships with other components of PSI, as well as developing their own technologies and customers. This is an important balance, and it will continue to be the basis for future acquisitions of advanced capabilities.

RSI's multi-color camera for sparse aperture studies

Research Support Instruments

Research Support Instruments (RSI) was founded in 1976 as a manufacturer of flight-quality optical and electro- optical instruments. These devices were used principally for sounding rocket and high-altitude balloon experiments. Following the company's acquisition by PSI in 1990, RSI's capabilities expanded to include aerospace science support services, plasma physics research, and micro-machined device manufacture. In addition to providing expertise in sensor design and manufacturing, PSI became a customer and partner for a variety of government projects.

RSI is headed by Dr. Chris Rollins, who joined the company in 1992 to work on the Clementine lunar orbiter. RSI currently operates from three facilities. Primary offices are in Lanham, MD, with laboratory operations in Princeton, NJ and on-site at the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC.

Chris Rollins

The Lanham office provides systems engineering, instrument design, integration and test, and scientific support services. Customers include the Naval Center for Space Technology and the NRL Remote Sensing Division. RSI/Lanham also conducts research and development activities in optical and electro-optical instruments under funding from a variety of sources. Recent activities include optical design and systems engineering for an orbiting hyperspectral mapping sensor, development of designs and techniques for sparse-aperture imaging systems, and the development of advanced optical communications systems.

RSI Microwave Electro-thermal Thruster

The Princeton office performs research in plasma physics and micro-machined device manufacture. Many of these activities are conducted in collaboration with Princeton University, and the RSI/Princeton staff enjoy guest- researcher status at the university and access to its laboratory facilities. Current RSI/Princeton projects include development of novel microwave electro-thermal propulsion systems and a micro-machined mass spectrometer. Customers include the Air Force, Navy, NASA and DARPA.

RSI on-site operations at NRL support the Plasma Physics Division in its operation of, and research with, high power lasers. Devices include the Pharos, T-Cubed, and NIKE laser systems. The group conducts research in laser device physics, beam propagation, laser-material processing, and remote sensing. Recent activities include research in longitudinal compression of short pulses in air, guided electric discharges triggered by femtosecond laser filaments, and chemical/biological agent detection using ultraviolet fluorescence spectroscopy.

Sparse-aperture imaging payload for the HARBOR MIST high altitude balloon experiment

Q-Peak

Q-Peak, the newest division of PSI, was founded in 1985 by Dr. Peter Moulton, an internationally recognized optical scientist. Q-Peak started as the Research Division of Schwartz Electro-Optics, Inc., was spun out as Q-Peak in 1998, and was acquired by PSI in 2001. Since then, Q-Peak has flourished, growing both organically and in collaboration with other divisions of the corporation. The original premise of its acquisition, a marriage of Q-Peak laser development and manufacturing capabilities with PSI laser applica-tions expertise, has been fully realized.

Peter Moulton

Q-Peak conducts funded research, development and manu-facture of solid state lasers and associated nonlinear optics. Research and development is supported by both commercial and government contracts, and custom laser systems are fabricated from an array of laser components, nonlinear optics, electronics and cooling hardware. Applications include active sensing systems for detection of both atmospheric constituents (LIDAR) and hard targets (LADAR). Q-Peak lasers have been incorporated into LIDAR and LADAR systems for remote sensing, commercial imaging, and military applications. They have also been used in materials processing, non-destructive testing and laser-based displays. All of these applications have been enabled by the company’s core technologies: diode-pumped solid state lasers and nonlinear optical wavelength and waveform conversion.

Q-Peak developed the QS20 laser, which generates 5-W of UV, and the QS10 laser, generating 5-W of green light/p>

Current activities include programs for the Department of Defense to develop infrared sources for remote sensing and eye-safe “flash” LADAR for three-dimensional imaging. For NASA, Q-Peak is completing a single frequency ultraviolet source for aircraft-based wind LIDAR. New NASA programs will incorporate the company's existing solid state modules into a UV laser for ozone sensing and, with PSI, quantum cascade lasers and parametric oscillators in other compact atmospheric sensors.

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Physical Sciences Inc.
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