High-speed Pulsed Raman (HiPuR) for Identification of Minerals and Organics

We propose a miniaturized High-speed Pulsed Raman (HiPuR) spectrometer for planetary surface exploration. The key development under the proposed work is the implementation of new laser technology that has only recently become possible, making use of pulsed MHz microchip lasers with Semiconductor Saturable Absorber Mirrors (SESAMs). These new lasers will be paired with our custom Single Photon Avalanche Diode (SPAD) detector arrays to achieve Raman spectra with over an order of magnitude higher signal-to-noise than achievable with the state of the art (using commercial pulsed microchip lasers) as well as improved time resolution for rejection of fluorescence from short lifetime organics.

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.

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