99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY PHOTONIC DENSELY ACCUMULATED RAY-POINT:LAR-17231-1

NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA 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: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a new approach to achieving a laser focal point size much smaller than the wavelength of light used, and smaller than that obtained using conventional micro zone plate lenses. The Photonic Densely Accumulated Ray poinT (DART) technology relies on phase contrast along with interference phenomena, with or without the use of a micro zone plate lens. Coupled with the extremely small spot size, the technology also provides very high laser energy density at the pseudo focal point surrounded by destructive interference, thereby enabling a range of potential useful applications such as laser processing, lithography, nano fabrication, and optical data storage. The NASA Photonic DART technology relies on two key aspects, one being the discovery of a new constructing interference point with an extremely fine pseudo focal point surrounded by destructive interference, using a novel phase contrast method to achieve the constructive/destructive interference. While typical micro zone plates can be used to take advantage of the newly discovered focal point, they are not necessary; a phase contrast lens can also be used. This phase contrast method is similar in effect to the micro zone plate in the creation of constructive/destructive interference, but takes advantage of phase contrast obtained though novel 3-D designs beyond the fixed binary micro zone plate design. The newly discovered central focal point in the Photonic DART technology is sharpened by the surrounding destructive interference rings present at the non- conventional focal point. The phase contrast phenomenon essentially removes the tail of the Gaussian energy distribution across the focal spot. To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to [email protected] with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB 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. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.