Hermetic Laser Window for a Contamination Sensitive Mass Spectrometer

Completed TRL 5 (started at 2, targeting 5)

Description

The purpose of this study is to develop brazing techniques to assemble hermetically sealed laser window packages for use in planetary missions with low allowable organic contamination thresholds where the use of epoxies and adhesives for optical bonding is not possible. Existing materials and methods for joining ceramics to metals will be studied to inform the critical design features of brazed window assemblies and understand the benefits and limitations to this fabrication approach.

Benefits

Potential benefits for the development of this technology include, but are not limited to:

Manufacturing of optical components for highly sensitive laser and optical instruments where organic contamination limits must remain low
Innovative approaches for development of hermetically-sealed optical components compatible with extremely hot and extremely cold temperature environments
Methods for joining of durable technical ceramics to metal for usage in manned spacecraft and habitable orbiting platforms.
Development of brazing techniques for joining optical ceramic materials to additive manufactured metallic structures
Manufacturing methods for optical components with tight alignment requirements where minimal dimensional changes are required
Further development of technology for other cross-cutting applications in remote sensing, such as earth observing instruments.

Details

Technology area	Materials, Structures, Mechanical Systems, and Manufacturing > Manufacturing > Manufacturing Processes
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2018-10-01
End date	2019-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Brook Lakew — brook.lakew@nasa.gov
Charles D Butler — charles.d.butler@nasa.gov
Michael J Amato — michael.j.amato@nasa.gov
Nathan A Smith — nathan.a.smith@nasa.gov
Antonio Moreno — antonio.moreno@nasa.gov

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.