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Spectroscopy-grade lasers and PICs operating around 689 nm
Completed
TRL 5 (started at 2, targeting 5)
Description
We propose to expand Nexus proprietary heterogeneous SiN based platform to include spectroscopy-grade lasers and PICs operating around Sr relevant wavelength in a wafer-scale process.
Benefits
Advanced heterogeneous integration enables maximum improvement in size, weight, and power (SWaP) and cost reduction while improving the performance of science instruments, subsystems, and components utilizing visible optical sources. PIC technologies are particularly critical for enabling small spacecraft platforms, rovers, and wearable/handheld technology for astronauts as complex photonic functionality can be integrated into a chip.
The proposed platform is applicable to multiple market verticals including augmented reality/virtual reality, healthcare, and sensing enabling us to leverage all these markets to push for commercialization while supporting NASA programmatic needs
Details
| Technology area | Sensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Lasers |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Nexus Photonics, LLC, Santa Barbara, CA |
| Start date | 2023-08-03 |
| End date | 2024-02-02 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.