Hierarchical Metasurface Optics for Multiplexed Visible to Terahertz Cross-Band Systems

The aim of the proposed program is to design metasurface structures to manipulate electromagnetic waves of extremely different frequencies, from visible light to THz.

Potential NASA applications include all future systems for which SWaP reduction is critical. This could include systems similar to the JPL Far Infrared Limb Observing Spectrometer (FILOS), any broadly-multispectral Cubesat missions, and potentially in astronomical observation platforms. In each case, the benefit to the NASA program is the reduced payload affected by using multiplexed optics to observe multiple channels at once.

Potential non-NASA applications include product space in both the US DoD, personal, and Homeland Security spheres. If the proof of concept can be demonstrated in the NASA program, the team could extend the technology to near-infrared as well as millimeter-wave regimes, both of which are useful in body scanning and threat detection.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.