THz Mixers, Receivers, and LO Sources for Heliophysics

This research is responsive to SBIR Subtopic S14.02: In Situ Particles and Fields and Remote-Sensing-Enabling Technologies for Heliophysics Instruments; Scope Title: Enabling Technologies for Remote-Sensing Heliophysics Instruments; specifically, the bullet item “Technologies for precise radiometry at THz bands corresponding to upper atmosphere thermal emissions in the 1-5 THz range, particularly at 4.75 THz.” VDI’s primary goal is the development of receivers and sources that can eventually be extended throughout the 1 – 5 THz range for commercial and scientific applications. This goal will be achieved by initially focusing on the most promising receiver technologies to enable NASA missions to measure the OI lines at 2.06 THz and 4.75 THz for heliophysics. The project has five objectives – • Development of a fundamental mixer to be used with a QCL LO source for heliophysics at 4.75 THz. This project supports only the mixer development, not the QCL. • The development of a 4.75 THz microwatt test source for the evaluation of both the VDI mixer and NASA’s receiver system (mixer and QCL LO). • Development of a 1.03 THz LO source for 2.06 THz heliophysics receivers. The goals are >2.0mW and minimal SWaP for SmallSat applications. • The development of a 2.06 THz subharmonically pumped mixer. • The integration of the LO source and mixer to realize a deliverable 2.06 receiver system meeting the core requirements for a heliophysics mission. NASA funds will be used for personnel (design, diode-IC fabrication, assembly, testing, and evaluation), power amplifier MMICs, and custom machined waveguide housings. The initial target market is atmospheric remote sensing and heliophysics research. Additional markets include plasma diagnostics for nuclear fusion experiments, QCL phase locking and testing, and general test and measurement. The components developed for the sources will also be marketed for commercial and scientific applications.

NASA applications for the source and receiver systems include heliophysics missions, other studies of the Earth’s atmosphere, and possibly planetary studies. An additional application is laboratory test equipment. The 4.75 THz source, for example, would be useful for any group developing a receiver system or QCL source. The terahertz mixers can also be of use for locking QCLs and as direct detectors for testing THz sources. The components developed to realize the systems will also be of great use. Most importantly the higher power and more efficient amplifiers in D-Band (110 – 170 GHz), specifically for terahertz receiver development and radar. VDI has previously delivered amplifiers at 170 and 240 GHz for radar missions; specifically, the Vapor Inside-cloud Profiling Radar (VIPR) and CloudCube programs. In the future, communications will move to higher frequencies and powerful and efficient D-Band SSPAs will play a significant role in the development, and potentially the implementation, of D-Band communications links. The high-power frequency multipliers can also play a role in future missions and equipment development from a few hundred GHz through 5 THz. The developments proposed will extend the reach of the VDI receivers and sources to much higher frequency, and this will certainly increase VDI’s potential for future business in atmospheric remote sensing. However, that is not the primary commercial motivation for this research. The terahertz frequency range lies between microwave electronics and optical photonics. It has long been viewed as the “terahertz gap,” since the marketplace abounds with microware and optical/IR products, but very few in between. The main practical issue has been the lack of affordable terahertz sources, receivers and detectors with sufficient performance. That situation is now changing, and terahertz technology has become a rapidly emerging field that spans a range of market segments that require instrumentation from below 100 GHz through several terahertz. Scientific applications include radio astronomy, atmospheric and planetary sensing, plasma diagnostics for nuclear fusion, chemical and biological spectroscopy, and materials measurement. Commercial applications include portal security screening, screening letters and packages, industrial process monitoring equipment, high data rate communications (Beyond 5G, or B5G), and possible medical diagnostic applications. For example, this research will support the development of higher power and more efficient amplifiers in D-Band (110 – 170 GHz), a band that is of particular interest for future B5G communications, a potentially major market - particularly if the performance and cost can be significantly improved to support commercial backhaul systems. Another noteworthy application for the amplifiers and multipliers is dynamic nuclear polarization enhanced NMR spectroscopy which explores the structure and dynamics of molecules for chemistry, materials science, biology and medical applications. Improved solid-state power can have a major impact on this field, opening a new market above 100 GHz.

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.