April 2022 - Physical Sciences Inc.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc (PSI), has been awarded a research program from the Department of Energy (DOE) to develop photonic chip-based time-to-frequency multiplexers to convert time-bin quantum information to frequency-division multiplexed signals within a single time-bin, effectively ‘stacking’ multiple time bins, that will be transmitted efficiently through fiber and demultiplexed using a complimentary chip.

As progress in quantum information and computation leads to ground-breaking advances, there is a critical need to realize quantum networks. Of the different encoding methods, time-bin encoding is both common and advantageous for quantum networks, however, scaling time-bin-based quantum networks poses two key challenges. First, these networks require identical phase-locked delay lines within each networking node to handle the time-encoded quantum information. Increasing time-bin count requires more delays that must also be phase locked throughout the network, increasing complexity. Second, combating low rates arising from fiber losses—even with quantum repeaters—requires higher bandwidths. As laying additional fibers to increase bandwidth is cost prohibitive, multiplexing becomes necessary, particularly, spectral multiplexing to utilize the full capacity of fiber. An ideal scalable quantum network should avoid the complexities of delay-line phase locking and exploit multiplexing to increase optical bandwidth.

PSI’s time-to-frequency multiplexing technology will enable multiplexing of quantum-entanglement data over current fiber-based networks, greatly increasing the capacity of near-term quantum networks without the burden of laying additional dedicated fiber. This approach will reduce initial quantum-network infrastructure to expedite some of the first quantum networks. These devices will become a key component for every node within a quantum network that will enable advanced quantum computing, secure communication and quantum sensing.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Joel Hensley
Vice President, Photonics
hensley@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), in collaboration with the University of Connecticut (UConn), has been awarded a research program from the US Army to develop a formulation and process for lyophilization, or freeze drying, of bacteriophages for improved stability to enable bacteriophage treatments in austere environments.

Effective management of military personnel that suffer wounds during multi-domain operations (MDO) requires care at the point of injury to prevent and treat infection to stabilize the wound. Due to increases in multidrug-resistant organisms, treatment modalities must include therapies outside of traditional antibiotics. Phage therapies consisting of cocktails of bacteriophages are a promising solution for treating infection, but poor stability outside of a highly controlled environment makes them inapplicable to austere environments typical encountered in MDO. Therefore, PSI’s technology will be capable of stabilizing bacteriophages for long-term storage at a wide range of environmental temperatures to enable reliable application of phage therapies in austere environments. This will lead to better outcomes for soldiers that suffer wounds during MDO.

For more information, contact:

William Kessler
Vice President, Applied Optics
kessler@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003

Press Release

Elbit Systems of America has partnered with Physical Sciences Inc. and Stanford University to produce a next-generation night vision system for America’s Warfighters, offering more capability in a smaller and lighter package. The partnership was created to produce a solution for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) that selected the group to participate in its Enhanced Night Vision in eyeglass form (ENVision) program. The team collaboration on DARPA’s ENVision program will run through October 2023.

Elbit Systems of America and its partners will each bring their expertise to the project, providing an advanced night vision solution with an expanded field of view, broader bandwidth, and enhanced situational awareness, with a goal to package the device within the form factor of a regular pair of glasses. Ultimately, the partners’ next-generation night vision device will enable Warfighters to see through fog, dust, and darkness in a system that is lightweight and easy to wear.

“The ENVision program challenges us to break the mold. Traditionally, more capability equates to greater size, weight, and power, but now we aim to flip this paradigm. We’re pushing ourselves to create an ideal night vision solution with increased performance in a much smaller, lightweight configuration and we’re excited to take on this challenge with our partners,” said Erik Fox, Vice President and General Manager of Elbit Systems of America – Night Vision.

Elbit Systems of America President and CEO Raanan Horowitz said “At Elbit America, we understand advancements in technology come when our workforce is bold and takes on industry challenges in collaborative new ways. Teamed with Physical Sciences Inc. and Stanford University, we are well-positioned to offer DARPA a breakthrough solution that will provide our nation’s Warfighters with the very best next-generation night vision solution.”

Elbit Systems of America has been developing advanced low light imaging technology to significantly decrease the size and weight of night vision devices and will apply this know-how to the ENVision program. All of the technology and lessons learned during the development of the ENVision concept will be key in creating a significant breakthrough for the industry.

Source: Elbit Systems of America
Date: Apr 12, 2022
View original News release

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a program from the U.S. Navy to develop an extremely compact broadband HPM source that delivers MW-level power with broad frequency and pulse width tuning.

The Navy needs a high power microwave (HPM) directed energy weapon (DEW) capable of stopping vehicle/vessel engines from 100 to 1000 meters. Current broadband RF-HPM weapon systems are very large, heavy, and costly. These incumbent systems lack the power and bandwidth necessary for identification and realization of vehicle/vessel stopping waveforms.
PSI will outline a path to combine this source with a directional antenna system to deliver effective field strengths at a range of greater than 100m. The key innovations include a compact packaging scheme as well as novel materials to improve both efficiency and thermal stability at elevated rep rates.

The key innovations include a compact packaging scheme as well as novel materials to improve both efficiency and thermal stability at elevated rep rates.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sean Torrez
Area Manager, Deployable Technologies
storrez@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Telephone: (978) 689-0003