Rare Earth Amplifier Chips (REACh) (REACh)

Vescent Technologies, Inc. in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory proposes to develop on-chip amplifiers for the optical telecommunications C-band based on silicon-nitride photonic-integrated circuits (PICs) doped with erbium to advance chip-scale laser and optical amplifier technologies capable of supporting next-generation space-deployed NASA missions including optical clocks (including Sr and Yb lattice and ion clocks), free-space communications, and quantum sensors as called out in NASA’s Decadal Surveys and Civil Space Shortfall Rankings. Importantly, though we will initially focus on erbium due to the robustness of telecommunications infrastructures, this work is extendable to other rare-earth ions (e.g. Yb, Tm, Nd) that support optical gain from ~1000 to 2000 nm wavelengths and can be integrated with existing nonlinear PICs to extend the optical spectrum into the visible. The size reduction of chip-scale laser systems is critical for space-deployed applications because temperature control and radiation shielding of critical technology elements are often required to achieve the laser performance levels required by quantum applications. This technology, if funded, offers critical pathways for NASA to achieve high performance laser systems at dramatically lower size, weight, and power plus cost than commercially available systems with an ability to operate in space.

A variety of applications and missions as outlined in the NASA Decadal Surveys and Civil Space Shortfall Ranking would be supported by REACh-based amplifiers and laser systems including optical-atomic clocks, laser communications, and space-based interferometry. Optical-atomic clocks are essential to critical NASA research areas including relativistic geodesy, autonomous spacecraft navigation, very long baseline interferometry, and space-based gravitational wave detection. Deployable on-board precisions clocks are critical for position, navigation, and timing for in-orbit and surface applications as well as for fundamental research missions (e.g. PFaST, EHE, and FOCOS-Like). Laser communications enable long-haul (>290 million miles, e.g. DSOC) data transfer at rates exceeding 200 gigabits per second (e.g. TBIRD). Earth-to-space laser communication links will enable future NASA-priority deep space missions to Neptune, Uranus, and beyond. Each link requires a transceiver and receiver with on-board Watt-class amplifiers that could be supported by REACh devices. Space-based laser interferometry will enable future precision measurements of gravitational waves (e.g. LISA) with sensitivities overcoming terrestrial-based measurements (e.g. LIGO). Such missions will require robust, high-power, and space-qualified laser systems and amplifiers like those proposed in this effort. Non-NASA applications that would benefit from REACh devices doped with a variety of rare-earth ions include lasers at various near-infrared wavelengths to support optical-atomic clocks for private sector space missions (SpaceX, BlueOrigin, Sierra Nevada, etc.), satellite communications requiring precision timing (Starlink, ViaSat, etc.), ultra-low phase noise microwave generation for geodetic radar sensing for earthquake monitoring and construction projects, long-haul optical telecommunications and radiofrequency photonics, LIDAR for industrial machining, standoff detection of hazardous chemicals, non-invasive medical diagnostics, laser surgery, and biological imaging.

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.