Cooling Lasers for Optical Clocks in Space (CLOCS) (CLOCS)

Vescent Technologies, Inc. (Vescent) proposes to develop an ultra-compact, high-power laser system suitable for laser cooling and trapping in space-borne optical atomic clocks. In response to NASA SBIR Topic S16.08 that prioritizes the development of space-qualifiable clock component technologies, the laser system will meet a critical and as yet unmet need for high-power cooling/trapping lasers required to realize field-deployable optical clocks. Current solutions for these laser sources are large (>10 L), power hungry (> 50 W), and sensitive to temperature and vibration, making them unable to leave the laboratory. The proposed MEmbrane eXternal cavity Laser (MEXL) system will output optical powers >500 mW at fixed wavelengths that cover many relevant cooling/trapping transitions for optical lattice and trapped ion clocks. Importantly, the proposed MEXL module has a size, weight, and power (SWaP) that is commensurate with being deployed outside the laboratory, occupying an estimated volume < 500 cm3 and having an electrical-to-optical power conversion efficiency of 10% or better (offering operation with only 12 W of wall plug power). However, these MEXLs have been developed for less stringent performance in biomedical applications and have not been demonstrated in laser cooling/trapping applications that require exquisite control of the laser frequency. Leveraging its expertise in laser frequency stabilization techniques, Vescent will evaluate the frequency and intensity noise properties of commercially available miniature MEXL modules to determine their effectiveness for laser cooling and trapping in optical clocks. The results of these studies will be applied in the follow-on Phase II effort to design, build, and test ruggedized low-SWaP prototype MEXL systems that have the requisite frequency stability for laser cooling and trapping and a realistic pathway to flight.

The proposed CLOCS laser system will address NASA’s research topic area S16.08 Atomic Quantum Sensors and Clocks where critical technology gaps related to space-deployed optical atomic clocks for inertial navigation as well as measurements of gravitational waves, time-variations of physical constants, and detection of dark matter are areas of focus. This technology is enabling for optical clocks in the PFaST initiative and for the following NASA missions: LISA, FOCOS, MAGIS, DSAC, and others requiring incredibly low timing instability. The Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) would benefit from an optical atomic clock implementation and/or time and frequency transfer between devices for solar-system level GPS-like navigation. Space-based laser interferometry, which also requires high levels of coherence achieved through high performance clocks and/or time transfer, will enable future precision measurements of gravitational waves (e.g. LISA) with sensitivities overcoming terrestrial-based measurements (e.g. LIGO). The CLOCS laser system will benefit commercial applications requiring compact, environmentally rugged, high up-time, high-power lasers operating in the visible and ultraviolet spectrums. Quantum computing companies and government research groups are the first candidates interested in prototypes of this emerging technology as the scaling of optical cubits will soon require laser powers at the kilowatt level and require >1000 L in volume which is untenable and impractical. The proposed solution offers a pathway to reduce total laser volumes for these applications by a factor of 10 to 100 while also offering a solution that can be engineered to have > 99.99% up-time, even in the presence of environmental perturbations. Other commercial and Department of Defense applications include optical atomic clocks for GPS-denied navigation as well as GPS upgrades, radar sources, 5G-and-beyond wireless communications, dual comb and precision spectroscopy including standoff detection of hazardous chemicals, biological research, 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.