Compact Optical Cavities for Quantum Photonics and Integrated Timing Solutions (COCQPITS)

Vescent Technologies, Inc. (Vescent) proposes to develop a fully integrated compact, low-power, environmentally robust ultra-narrow linewidth (UNL) laser, based on a novel cavity architecture demonstrated by the Precision Photonic Synthesis group at NIST (NIST-PPS) and validated during the Phase I effort. Compared to incumbent UNL laser technology based on bulky reference cavities held under active high vacuum, this solution will reduce size by ~1/30, weight by ~1/6, and electrical power by ~1/10, and demonstrate a low-risk, rapid-development pathway to future space deployment. The resulting compact clock laser is a critical component in optical atomic clocks and would enable future NASA missions such as FOCOS and MAGIS, which seek to put optical lattice clocks in space for gravitational wave detection and searches for new physics. This novel UNL technology is based on a vacuum-bonded, compact optical reference cavity, which operates without the usual high vacuum enclosure of traditional ultra-low expansion cavities. This technology has been demonstrated to perform with a fractional instability of 2E-14. The Phase II effort will implement design changes made in the Phase I effort to push performance to the 6E-15 level and integrate the cavity into a rigid mount with low acceleration sensitivity. This Phase II effort will evaluate the performance of an UNL laser based on these designs. By the end of the period of performance, we will deliver a complete rugged laser system, exhibiting instability <1E-14, operating at a clock wavelength, with all components (includes laser, control electronics, opto-mechanics, and cavity) occupying 1.6 L of volume.

The proposed compact, ruggedized, ultranarrow linewidth clock laser module will address NASA’s research topic area S16.08 Atomic Quantum Sensors and Clocks, particularly critical technology gaps related to space-deployed optical atomic clocks for measurements of gravitational waves, time-variations of physical constants, detection of dark matter, etc. This technology is enabling for optical clocks in the PFaST initiative and for the following NASA missions: FOCOS, MAGIS, DSAC, among others. Low-SWaP UNL clock lasers will benefit commercial applications including optical atomic clocks for GPS-denied navigation, optical time and frequency transfer, radar sources, 5G-and-beyond wireless communications, quantum computing, dual comb and precision spectroscopy, automotive and industrial lidar, and geodetic sensing for earthquake monitoring and construction projects.

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.