March 2024 - Physical Sciences Inc.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI), and their university partner, have been awarded a contract from NASA to develop Photonic Integrated Circuit Assisted-Single Photon Detectors (PICA-SPDs) to increase the bandwidth and timing resolution of single-photon detectors (SPDs). Realizing low size, weight, and power (SWaP) SPDs with high saturation-rates and high timing-resolutions are critical for deploying quantum technology in space. While the best superconducting nanowire SPDs (SNSPDs) can achieve saturation rates up to 100 MHz with timing resolutions of several 10’s of picoseconds, these also require cryogenic environments, making their deployment in space a challenge. On the other hand, single photon avalanche photodiodes (SPADs) are low SWaP and can operate at room temperature with good efficiencies (>75%); however, the timing resolution is often 50 ps (or more) and the saturation rate is typically limited to 10s of MHz.

To overcome the challenge of increasing both the timing resolution and saturation rate of SPAD arrays, our unique active-approach leverages high-speed, low-loss PIC modulators. Here, single-photon optical signals enter the PIC and are routed to a series of Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) switches. These fast, traveling-wave switches are driven by periodic signals having progressively higher frequencies to create a switch yard. As the photon stream enters each of the MZI switches, the different time-positions are routed to different outputs of each MZI, which isolates individual time-positions to enable readout using an array of SPDs. This approach enables an array of SPADs to operate together to achieve timing resolutions even surpassing SNSPDs with greatly enhanced saturation count-rates to enable space-based quantum networking applications.

For more information, contact:

Dr. Christopher Evans
Group Leader, Scalable Photonic Technologies
cevans@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Office: (978) 689-0003

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under a contract with NASA. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) to develop a fiber magnetometer system for the detection of pulsed magnetic fields.

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes the refinement and development of the Compact Optical Fiber For Extreme Environments (COFFEE) sensor. The design of the sensor is to measure fast, transient magnetic fields generated in military system components due to nuclear weapons effects (NWE) such as Internal Electromagnetic Pulse (IEMP) and System Generated EMP (SGEMP). Presently, these fields are measured with small induction coils that are limited by electromagnetic interference susceptibility, finite size constraints, and proximity within a test object. The COFFEE system will provide a low-profile sensor that combined with the polarimetry system to measure magnetic fields based on the Faraday effect in a small section of doped glass fiber. The fiber sensing element will be designed to achieve accurate measurements of the magnetic fields during operation in a high energy, pulsed X-ray environment.

For more information contact:

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

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under a contract with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the Missile Defense Agency to develop an integrated refractory solution via tape casting capable of withstanding heat fluxes greater than 1000 W/cm² and enabling low drag during flight Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) proposes to develop protective integrated tape solutions for sharp leading edges (LEs) on hypersonic vehicles to enable low drag during flight.

The material system will consist of a refractory material that will be integrated directly with PSI’s existing ceramic matrix composite system. The resulting protective layer will be dense with high temperature and low oxidation capabilities to enable shape retention during hypersonic flight. The system is integrated directly into PSI’s composite manufacturing process, requiring no additional process steps or specialized application equipment. The composition of the layer can be functionally graded to promote maximum adhesion. Thick applications can be machined to tight tolerances without impacting underlying fiber reinforcements. During the proposed Phase I, the PSI team will demonstrate feasibility through a regime of LE fabrication, testing, and modeling efforts. During Phase II the team will fabricate ground test articles based on anticipated designs, paving the way for inclusion in operational MDA vehicles.

For more information contact:

Dr. John Steinbeck
Product Manager, Advanced Composites
steinbeck@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Office: (978) 689-0003

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported under a contract with the Missile Defense Agency. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.

Press Release

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a versatile hyperspectral confocal fluorescence lifetime imager for microscopic studies of the spatial and temporal dynamics of key metabolites in plant systems.

Plant metabolism is a key biological process that involves intricate physiological processes to synthesize chemicals and create energy. A full understanding of the metabolic processes requires capable imaging technology to visualize the spatiotemporal dynamics and transport of key metabolites at the cellular level. Plant biologists face a challenge due to the current absence of a practical, non-invasive, high-resolution imaging tool. While invasive and destructive techniques such as cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectroscopy are commonly employed in laboratory settings to probe biochemical processes in plants and microbial communities, their adaptability for field-based research and industrial applications is limited. This significantly hinders investigations of metabolic processes to monitor plant development and health and their interaction with the microbial communities.

During this R&D program PSI will develop a hyperspectral confocal fluorescence lifetime imager for non-destructive functional imaging of plant metabolism and microbial systems. The imager will be designed for field deployment and assessment of the physiological and biochemical responses of plants and microbes. The instrument will provide confocal, optically sectioned and spectral discriminated fluorescence lifetime images, providing important new information on the spatiotemporal distributions and dynamics of key metabolites and other functional biomolecules in cells.

For more information contact:

Dr. Youbo Zhao
Group Leader, Spectral Solutions
yzhao@psicorp.com
Physical Sciences Inc.
Office: (978) 689-0003

Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: This work is supported by a contract with the Department of Energy. This support does not constitute an express or implied endorsement on the part of the Government.