NASA selected Vescent Photonics to execute a phase I SBIR  in support of the upcoming ASCENDS mission.  This mission will be the first to utilize satellite based laser spectroscopy with a goal of mapping global sources and sinks of atmospheric CO2.  Vescent Photonics will be developing techniques for locking and controlling the laser frequencies.

As part of a joint technology development between Vescent and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory a fully electro-optic Fourier transform spectrometer system was built and installed at the JPL facility.  The performance of this new type of Fourier transform spectrometer is enabled by the unprecedented voltage control over optical phase provided by our liquid crystal waveguide technology.  Applications for this technology include robust, low power, spectroscopic sensors for planetary exploration. More details about this technology are provided in several technical papers.

We are pleased to announce that Neil Rebolledo has joined the Vescent research & development team.  Neil had been working at Vescent as an intern; he transitioned to a full-time employee at the engineer level in October.  His expertise in optical fabrication, test & measurement, and optical waveguide engineering is especially pertinent to our development goals.

Vescent Photonics recently hired Rose Moffatt to provide depth and expertise to our financial and contracts management. Her extensive accounting background will be directly applicable to help the company manage our continued growth.

Vescent Photonics has just begun work on a phase I SBIR through the NAVY  for the development of revolutionary electro-optic (EO) laser scanners.  The extremely low size, weight, & power consumption of the EO-scanners enables utilization on previously inaccessible platforms.