Optical Software to Calculate Terrestrial Planet Finder Contrast Including Polarization Effects, Phase I

BRO will provide commercially available optics software that dependably calculates image plane irradiance to the precision required by TPF missions. Calculations will be compared to those predicted in the published literature. BRO will use the Gaussian Beam Decomposition Algorithm (GBDA), which works within fully 3D systems, simulates interferometers and deformable mirrors, includes polarization, and calculates fields at all propagation distances. In Phase II, BRO will increase the speed of the GBDA, write software to estimate the errors in calculations to include the effects of polarization aberrations on the irradiance and add optimization capabilities.

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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