PHYSICAL SCIENCES INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) in collaboration with Q-Peak, a PSI subsidiary, will develop

Description

Physical Sciences Inc. (PSI) in collaboration with Q-Peak, a PSI subsidiary, will develop an agile, active/passive shortwave infrared (SWIR) hyperspectral imager (HSI) for tower mounted or airborne information surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). This solution employs a high-power supercontinuum (SC) laser source to extend the operating range of the HSI to low-light conditions and nighttime use. The novel HSI system offers two modes of operation: active scanning using the SC laser illuminator and passive high acquisition rate hyperspectral imaging using solar illumination. The overall solution will support unprecedented ISR functionality. In Phase I PSI will develop the novel HSI system and integrate Q-Peak"s SC source to produce a breadboard active/passive HSI with SC source for proof of feasibility as well as validation of a system model. System requirements as well as a conceptual design for a TRL 5 prototype system to be fully developed under Phase II will be developed from the experiments and model. The Phase II prototype system will provide a spectral response of 1.4-1.8 um with a 10 nm spectral resolution, while offering a scan rate of greater than 4000 m2/s with a GSD of 1 m that allows for high resolution target discrimination.