Optical
Our Approach
We harness the information-rich optical spectrum, invent new sources and detection technologies, and field sensor solutions.
PSI has literally centuries of collective experience and associated institutional knowledge developing application-driven optical sensors, systems and devices to close the capability gaps of our customers. We currently serve a broad range of applications, including:
- Standoff and proximal chemical detection
- Tunable diode laser based gas detection
- Atmospheric aerosol detection, characterization and exploitation
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)
- Missile signature simulation and detection
- Non-contact material characterization
- Range imaging for mapping and ISR
PSI has specific expertise in:
- Early stage optical device and material development
- Signal modeling
- System performance modeling
- Opto-mechanical designs for real world applications
- Thermal and environmental management
- Integration support for airborne, mobile and underwater vehicles
- Data analytics and automated detection
Optical Sensors
PSI offers extensive experience in developing application-driven optical sensors, spectrometers and spectral imagers spanning the UV to LWIR.
Our approach is always based on detailed physical modeling of the phenomenology we intend to measure, whether it be a solid or liquid on a surface, a vapor and/or aerosol cloud, or a missile plume. We derive system requirements from these models and develop our sensors against these requirement. The result is an optimal solution for our customer that meets all of their requirements.
PSI tools include custom developed:
- Tunable laser based gas sensors
- Spatial heterodyne spectrometers configured for Raman and LWIR reflectance sensors
- Tunable Fabry-Perot filters
- Staring mode hyperspectral imagers featuring a digital micromirror device
- Compressive sensing hyperspectral and range imagers
- Backscatter and hard target LIDARs
- Novel chemical point detectors
Optical Systems
PSI has expertise in developing laser based and optical systems for directed energy and missile testing scenarios.
Specific areas include:
- Laser based optical plume simulators
- Digital micromirror device based infrared scene projectors
- QCL modules for IRCM and sensing applications
- Specialty, high power fiber lasers and amplifiers
- Extremely compact, frequency multiplied YAG lasers
Optical Devices
PSI innovates at the nano, micro, and millimeter scale in novel and emerging optical materials and devices.
These innovations address application areas such as:
- Quantum information
- RF photonics
- Novel sources
- Novel Detectors, from ultraviolet to longwave infrared
- Novel optical elements
- Optical communication
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Markets We Serve
Defense and Security
Ensuring the safety and efficacy of our war-fighters and protecting the homeland
Find out moreMedical and Pharma
Translating new technologies to clinical and industrial applications for improved health care
Find out moreEnergy and Environment
Clean energy technologies and sensors for addressing climate change challenges
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