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Ultra-Narrow Bandpass Filters for Long Range Optical Telecommunications at 1064nm and 1550nm
Completed
TRL 5 (started at 3, targeting 5)
Description
Ultra-narrow bandpass filters with high off-band rejection are needed to maximize signal to noise for free space communications. Omega Optical is developing NIR filters with less than 1 nm bandwidths, which are thermally stable, and provide high rejection of adjacent communication channels. This program will address advancing these filters from a technology readiness level (TRL) of 3 to TRL 5. Development focus will address the manufacturing, materials, and characterization issues needed for space qualification.
Benefits
LIDAR, Free Space Laser Communications, DWDM, Emission Line Filters
LIDAR, Autonomous Vehicles (Self-driving cars), AUVIS Applications, Drones, and Earth-to-balloon free-space laser communication.
Details
| Technology area | Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Optical Communications > Pointing, Acquisition, and Tracking Techniques and Technologies |
| Program | Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer (SBIR/STTR) |
| Lead organization | Omega Optics, Inc., Austin, TX |
| Start date | 2017-06-09 |
| End date | 2017-12-08 |
Project contacts
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
How to get involved
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 5) — 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.
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.