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Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
We propose to develop Near-Zero Power Photoswitches (NZPP) for Free-Space Optical (FSO) communication and LIDAR in NASA applications. The applications will be but not limited to NASA future flight opportunities from free space laser communications, altimetry, trace gas sensing to in-situ spectroscopic instruments. The photoswitches are Micro-Electro-Mechanical-System (MEMS) switches that remain dormant with zero-power until woken up to action by incoming optical signals like infra-red, laser and others. The feature of near zero power consumption will tremendously benefit our missions in space where resources are limited.
Future missions for NASA are most likely going to be dominated by SmallSats or CubeSats. As such the available resources will be limited. One of the major problems in sensor networks is the electric power needed to drive individual sensors for sustainable and maintenance-free operation. This new technology with multifunctional applications will provide a path to further lower the size, weight and power (SWaP) for the instrument, and a way to minimize background noise and simplify the receiver design.
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