99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY FERROELECTRIC LIGHT CONTROL DEVICE:LAR-16950

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 and patented a novel use of a smart optical material for controlling the phase of coherent light. The ferroelectric light control device provides a simple means to control the propagation of light, as might be used for intensity and phase control of laser communications systems, for example. Typical methods employed today for laser phase control include conventional optical components such as lenses, mirrors, or gratings, coupled with a mechanical controller, either an electric motor or actuator, or in some cases a MEMS device. The NASA technology is paradigm shifting in that the need for external control is eliminated. The ferroelectric light control device operates purely in the solid state, using the optical changes in the ferroelectric material as a function of applied electric field in multiple orientations to change the optical transmission properties of the device. The electrodes used to construct the multi-direction ferroelectric light control device are key to its performance. The NASA ferroelectric light control device technology leverages the unique electro-optical properties of known ferroelectric compounds, like barium titanate or lithium niobate, to create a solid state device for controlling the phase and intensity of a laser light beam. The ferroelectric material undergoes spontaneous polarization via induced dipoles in the crystal domains. The key to the NASA device technology is the design of the multiple electrode patterns to control the orientation of applied electric field, along with a combination of multiple device layers, controlled thicknesses, or optical coatings. Specific designs are easily developed and manufactured depending on the end-use application requirements. U.S. Patent 7,379,231 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.