TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY: Orbital Angular Momentum Detection Photon Sieve (LAR-TOPS-306)

NASA's Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses . THE TECHNOLOGY : The Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM) Detection Photon Sieve is a variation of a tradition photon sieve, which focuses an OAM signal at the center point on the focal plane. With a traditional photon sieve an OAM signal focuses as a ring pattern on the focal plane and non-OAM signal focuses as a point at the center of the ring. This design inverts OAM and non-OAM signal patterns on the focal plane. Current LiDAR systems use a traditional reflector dish for efficient collection of photons, which are directed to the system detectors. For space-based LiDAR applications, the reflector dish diameter is designed to meet the collection needs of the science measurement. However, as the reflector dish diameter increases to achieve the required science signal level, the background noise signal also increases. The highly sensitive detectors in the LiDAR receiver path reach a saturation point as a result of the increased background noise, making the measurement useless. In addition, the output laser energy is limited by the power available on the satellite and laser eye safety restrictions for ground observers. This limits the design of the LiDAR system to increasing the telescope aperture size and receiver path efficiency. This innovation was pursued to both increase the signal and reduce the noise while maintaining the phase of the signal. Most importantly, this photon sieve design provides a definitive measurement technique for the detection of specific orbital angular momentum modes. To express interest in this opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LAR-TOPS-306 If you have any questions, please contact Langley Research Center at [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/ These responses are provided to members of NASA's Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice .