A simple, robust Zernike phase-contrast wavefront sensor

Completed

Description

Develop Zernike phase-contrast wavefront sensor for alignment of segmented telescopes using external light sources.

Benefits

Missions will benefit from the development of Zernike phase-contrast wavefront sensor for alignment of segmented telescopes using external light sources.

Details

Technology area	Thermal Management Systems > Thermal Protection Components and Systems > TPS Instrumentation
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: JPL IRAD (JPL IRAD)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2012-10-01
End date	2013-10-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Jonas Zmuidzinas — jonas.zmuidzinas@jpl.nasa.gov
James K Wallace — james.k.wallace@jpl.nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — 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.