Tunable Semiconductor Lasers for GPON and Gas Sensing Applications

Under NASA funding, Freedom Photonics has developed novel, first in the world, tunable semiconductor lasers operating at 1650nm, for active methane monitoring. Two different laser types have been developed: a widely tunable device, and a simpler to control, narrowly tunable, high power COMBO-DBR device. We have been working with two commercial customers to transition this technology for sensing and optical communication applications. They are both investing funds into this transition. The funding under this program will accelerate the near-term transition of SBIR and STTR funded technologies to commercialization which will benefit the NASA, our company, and the world.

Gas sensing, for Earth sciences and planetary missions. Novel redundant, fail-safe, low CSWaP passive optical networks for spacecraft

New applications of gas spectroscopy to environmental monitoring, poisonous gas detection, semiconductor and industrial monitoring Deployment into passive optical networks, interconnecting 5G sites, data centers, etc.

This is a mature technology (TRL 8) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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.