Very Compact FTIR Spectrometer for Planetary In-Situ Measurements, Year 2

Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)

Description

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy is a gold standard for infrared spectroscopy. However, conventional FTIR are bulky because they use motors to change the optical path length of an interferometric arm. This task will develop a an FTIR system for IR in-situ and remote observation with significant reduction in Size, Weight and Power (SWaP) over current IR spectrometers used in space.

Benefits

The key innovation is the use of a recent breakthrough in integrated silicon photonics that enables the realization of ultra-low loss optical switches.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors
Program	Center Innovation Fund: JPL CIF (JPL CIF)
Lead organization	Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Start date	2020-10-01
End date	2021-09-30

Project contacts

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

Alexander Soibel — alexander.soibel@jpl.nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.

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