Radiation Hard Multi-Layer Optical Coatings, Phase I

Next generation space telescopes require advanced optical coatings to provide low loss transmission of light in a variety of spectral ranges and protect optical components from damage in a space environment. In this SBIR program Nanohmics proposes to examine uses of amorphous nitrides and oxides as a high quality, long lived coating for production of wide-acceptance angle IR anti-reflection and band-pass coatings on optical components. Amorphous nitrides are hard, flexible wide-bandgap semiconductor materials that can be used as an optical coating. Alternating layers of high index nitrides such as AlN combined with low index oxides such as SiO2 can be used to make good wide acceptance angle anti-reflective coatings for a variety of optical components.

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.