Atomically-Referenced Optical Wavelength Standard

Radio frequency (RF) measurement techniques are extensively utilized across fundamental research, telecommunications, military and defense, and various industrial sectors. Recently, Rydberg sensors have emerged as a promising advancement, offering significant improvements over existing RF measurement systems. These sensors leverage the exceptional sensitivity of atoms prepared in specialized excited states—known as Rydberg states—to measure RF fields with remarkable accuracy and precision. Furthermore, Rydberg-based measurements provide inherent SI traceability by directly referencing fundamental atomic constants. However, a significant hurdle in deploying Rydberg sensors under practical field conditions, including suborbital and space-based applications, is the absence of a ruggedized frequency stabilization subsystem for the lasers driving the essential atomic transitions required to generate Rydberg atoms. Currently, no suitable field-deployable frequency standards exist for stabilizing these lasers. Traditional stabilization methods, such as referencing the Rydberg transition itself or utilizing frequency combs, are impractical for field deployment due to their complexity and fragility. To address this critical gap, Opto-Atomics Corp. (OAC) proposes the development of an Atomically-Referenced Optical Wavelength Standard (AROWS), specifically targeting NASA’s active microwave remote sensing applications. OAC aims to produce a compact and robust laser stabilization subsystem suitable for field-deployed Rydberg sensors. AROWS will enable SI-traceable sensing in operational field environments, delivering exceptional sensitivity and precision across the S- through W-bands, and optimized for minimal size, weight, and power (SWaP). During Phase I, OAC will develop a breadboard prototype and experimentally validate the feasibility of AROWS.

In the characterization, analysis, and monitoring of the Earth’s surface and subsurface hydrology, multiple signals of opportunity (SoOP) across various microwave bands are present. Current state-of-the-art classical RF technologies have limitations such as narrow bandwidth and large system sizes, restricting continuous and broadband measurement capabilities for these SoOPs. Rydberg sensors offer an effective solution, providing highly accurate and precise measurements with inherent SI traceability. A critical technology required for the practical field deployment of these sensors is a compact, ruggedized coupling laser stabilization subsystem, which the proposed development aims to deliver. RF and microwave signals are extensively used in various commercial and military applications. For instance, Rydberg sensors can facilitate secure long-range RF communications, leveraging their inherent capability to reject external interference and noise—a highly beneficial feature for military operations. Additionally, Rydberg sensors are valuable in industrial applications involving precision metrology or calibration standards, such as identifying defects in electronic components for quality control purposes. RF and microwave signals are heavily utilized in many commercial and military applications. For example, Rydberg sensors can enable long-range RF communications with the inherent ability to reject external interference and noise, which will be extremely useful in many military applications. Rydberg sensors can also be highly useful in industrial applications involving precision metrology or calibration standards, such as characterizing defects in electronics for quality control.

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.