Absolute Wavelength Control of Lasers for Active Sensing in Space

We propose to develop compact absolute wavelength references to weak molecular transitions, which is a challenge characteristic to space-based active sensing. The ASCENDS mission (Active Sensing of CO2 over Nights, Days, and Seasons) will be the first satellite-based mission employing precision laser spectroscopy for active sensing of molecules in space. Although ASCENDS will be first, it is expected that future NASA missions for planetary sensing or Venture class missions will also use active sensing. In Phase I, Vescent will demonstrate the technology to lock seed lasers to weak molecular transitions in a compact form factor. The final Phase II deliverable will be a complete laser system including a master laser and a slave laser locked to the master laser with a tunable frequency offset. The system will be designed so the slave laser can be used to tune across an O2 transition in a compact instrument designed for flight testing. The phase I effort will bring the technology readiness level to TRL 4. In Phase II we will work with NASA to bring the technology to TRL 6 with fully packaged prototypes and environmental testing.

Frequency locking is essential for nearly all spectroscopic measurements. This technology is particularly well suited to the complex lasers systems needed in the field of cold-atom sensing, including atomic clocks, cold-atom inertial sensors, ultra-cold plasmas, and atomic magnetometers and gravimeters.

NASA has a long history using spectroscopic probes for space-based Earth science and extraterrestrial missions. These past missions have not been tunable laser based because the tunable laser locking and control technology has been immature. This project will significantly increase the maturity and availability of precision laser frequency locking and control systems, which will lower the barrier for use in a wide array of future NASA missions. In addition to ASCENDS, these include future Venture Class UAV missions for methane, and future planetary science missions.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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