Integrated Wavefront Control, Phase I

NASA is expending a significant amount of effort to develop large imaging telescope systems to explore the Evolution of the Universe (SEU). Adaptive optics will play a large role in these efforts because of the need to produce high quality imaging with lightweight optical systems. Adaptive optics allows the spacecraft designer to sacrifice traditional requirements with regard to weight and stiffness in order to make the spacecraft as light as possible. However, the adaptive systems must be compact and lightweight also. Normal AO systems utilize a series of discreet components to satisfy the correction requirements. These would consist of tip/tilt mirror and deformable mirrors. Xinetics has engaged in developing a series of integrated adaptive optical components that will improve the optical quality of traditional wavefront control systems while simultaneously reducing system volume, weight, and cost. The proposed effort is the result of a strategic vision to develop small robust wavefront control systems designed to be employed in spaced based optical systems. Xinetics proposes designing and building a 1024-ch integrated wavefront corrector using Photonex module technology and Xinetics cofired ceramic actuators.

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.