Femtosecond Laser Welding for Flight Instrument fabrication

Completed TRL 4 (started at 4, targeting 4)

Description

Develop femtosecond laser welding to fabricate a prototype space laser oscillator that avoids the use of epoxies. Epoxies are typically used to bond optical elements inside laser cavities. When the laser cavity is thermally stressed the epoxy often outgas and contaminate the optical surfaces. Over time, the contaminates bake on and further erode the throughput of those surfaces.

Benefits

The elimination of epoxies in the laser cavity could greatly improve the reliability and operational lifetime of future space laser 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	2019-10-01
End date	2020-09-30

Project contacts

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

Aprille J Ericsson — aprille.j.ericsson@nasa.gov
Michael A Johnson — michael.a.johnson@nasa.gov
Robert E Lafon — robert.lafon@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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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