850 nm Narrow Linewidth Laser for Atomic Sensors

In this program, a compact laser source for atomic sensing will be developed using Freedom Photonics’ advanced hybrid integration technology. The package will combine multiple components of existing atomic sensors to reduce size, weight, and power of the overall system. Application requirements will be gathered from NASA and commercial partners with complex laser source requirements for atomic sensors. Freedom Photonics will develop custom solutions for each component suited to the requirements specified using our suite of commercial and in-house modeling tools. Using hybrid integration these components will be combined into a high-performance laser module. In Phase 1 of this program, Freedom Photonics will design the components of the compact laser source. The hybrid integration approach will be implemented at the target wavelength to ensure feasibility of the proposed solution. At the end of Phase 1, we will have demonstrated a path forward to combining the components and will be ready to procure and being fabrication of the components at the start of Phase 2.

This program is targeting NASA applications related to geodesy, gravimetry, and climate monitoring. The laser source will be targeting specifications for atomic clock and atomic interferometers used in gravity sensors.

High performance laser solutions for atomic sensors are useful for various other commercial and defense applications such inertial measurement units, magnetometers, and atomic clocks. Furthermore, the same hybrid integration approach can be leveraged for other applications such as LiDAR and optical communications transceivers.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.

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