{"project":{"acronym":"","projectId":33496,"title":"Novel Solid State Lasers for Space-Based Water Vapor DIAL","primaryTaxonomyNodes":[{"taxonomyNodeId":10752,"taxonomyRootId":8816,"parentNodeId":10751,"level":3,"code":"TX08.3.1","title":"Field and Particle Detectors","definition":"Field detectors include millimeter wave through X-ray sensors, magnetic and electric field sensors, gravity-wave sensors, magnetometers, and imaging radiometers and spectrometers. Particle detectors include neutral particle sensors, ionic particle sensors, and plasma detectors. Supporting electronic technologies for power, mitigating environmental effects such as temperature drift or background radiation contamination, and calibration are included.","exampleTechnologies":"Fast Plasma Instrument (FPI), Dual Ion Sensors (DIS) Dual Electron Sensors (DES), Analog Fluxgate Magnetometer (AFG)","hasChildren":false,"hasInteriorContent":true}],"startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"The laser technology to be developed under this SBIR program lays the foundation for an affordable class of space-based remote sensing instruments that are compatible with Earth Venture or ISS-class missions. Because of the lower cost, we expect the frequency of these opportunities to be far greater than those of major missions such as ICESat-2 and those recommended in the decadal study: ACE, ASCENDS, and LIST. EV-class missions also serve as pathfinders for major space-based instruments and thus, reduce the risk for the higher value missions. The technology developed under this SBIR has application for remote sensing of multiple atmospheric species linked to global climate change including methane, water vapor, and potentially carbon dioxide.
In addition to NASA, NOAA has a long history of fielding water-vapor remote sensing instruments—both terrestrial and airborne platforms. Many of these have been based on low-power (laser diode) sources and therefore have limited range capability. The proposed Er:YAG frequency-doubled laser can access the same WV lines but with orders of magnitude higher peak power, which enables measurements with higher precision and coverage rates. Upgrade of existing lidar systems with the new laser technology will also provide a viable market for high-performance laser systems.","description":"Fibertek, Inc. proposes to develop a novel laser source designed to meet the needs of planned space-based atmospheric water-vapor (WV) differential absorption lidar (DIAL) instruments. Our approach is based on frequency doubling the output wavelength of efficient near-infrared (NIR) solid-state laser materials doped with rare earth ions that can be efficiently pumped by high-brightness semiconductor laser diodes. In our Phase I program we will also demonstrate a novel resonator, designed to reduce the pulse width and increase the extraction efficiency on low-gain, three-level laser transitions. Our proposed innovation has the potential for improving the operating efficiency of water-vapor DIAL laser transmitters by about a factor of two compared to current lasers.","startYear":2015,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2015,"endMonth":12,"statusDescription":"Completed","principalInvestigators":[{"contactId":52711,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Brian","lastName":"Mathason","fullName":"Brian Mathason","fullNameInverted":"Mathason, Brian","primaryEmail":"bmathason@fibertek.com","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programDirectors":[{"contactId":206378,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jason","lastName":"Kessler","fullName":"Jason L Kessler","fullNameInverted":"Kessler, Jason L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jason.l.kessler@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programExecutives":[{"contactId":215154,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Jennifer","lastName":"Gustetic","fullName":"Jennifer L Gustetic","fullNameInverted":"Gustetic, Jennifer L","middleInitial":"L","primaryEmail":"jennifer.l.gustetic@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"programManagers":[{"contactId":62051,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Carlos","lastName":"Torrez","fullName":"Carlos Torrez","fullNameInverted":"Torrez, Carlos","primaryEmail":"carlos.torrez@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"projectManagers":[{"contactId":16983,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Amin","lastName":"Nehrir","fullName":"Amin R Nehrir","fullNameInverted":"Nehrir, Amin R","middleInitial":"R","primaryEmail":"amin.r.nehrir@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false},{"contactId":461333,"canUserEdit":false,"firstName":"Theresa","lastName":"Stanley","fullName":"Theresa M Stanley","fullNameInverted":"Stanley, Theresa M","middleInitial":"M","primaryEmail":"theresa.m.stanley@nasa.gov","publicEmail":true,"nacontact":false}],"website":"","libraryItems":[{"file":{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":300294,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_S1.01-9914","fileSize":328116,"objectId":296832,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"320.4 KB"},"files":[{"fileExtension":"pdf","fileId":300294,"fileName":"SBIR_2015_1_BC_S1.01-9914","fileSize":328116,"objectId":296832,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":889,"code":"LIBRARY_ITEMS","description":"Library Items","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"objectTypeId":889,"fileSizeString":"320.4 KB"}],"id":296832,"title":"Briefing Chart","description":"Novel Solid State Lasers for Space-Based Water Vapor DIAL Briefing 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Image","file":{"fileExtension":"png","fileId":306516,"fileName":"SBIR_15_1_S1.01-9914","fileSize":166228,"objectId":66732,"objectType":{"lkuCodeId":1841,"code":"TRANSITION_FILES","description":"Transition Files","lkuCodeTypeId":182,"lkuCodeType":{"codeType":"OBJECT_TYPE","description":"Object Type"}},"fileSizeString":"162.3 KB"},"transitionId":66732,"fileId":306516}],"infoText":"Closed out","infoTextExtra":"","dateText":"December 2015"},{"transitionId":66733,"projectId":33496,"partner":"Other","transitionDate":"2016-06-01","path":"Advanced To","relatedProjectId":89887,"relatedProject":{"acronym":"","projectId":89887,"title":"Novel Solid State Lasers for Space-Based Water Vapor DIAL","startTrl":3,"currentTrl":4,"endTrl":4,"benefits":"Fibertek is working closely with NASA LaRC and the Earth Sciences Technology Office (ESTO) to develop reliable, efficient laser sources meeting the requirements for advanced instruments for remote sensing of the Earth's atmosphere on a global scale. The data provided by these sensors is critical in supporting and validating climate modeling. The novel near infrared laser with frequency conversion will enable lidar systems to be based initially on research aircraft and high-altitude UAVs for global sensing of the atmospheric water vapor and methane. The LaRC/ESTO HALO instrument planned for initial deployment in 2016 is an example of an opportunity for transition of the new technology into a fielded system. We anticipate partnering with NASA on future IIPs, ACT and EV programs to fully develop the high-performance systems built around the laser transmitter delivered under this SBIR program.
Long-range lidar systems are entering production in all branches of the military. Increasingly these active systems require higher power for greater range and sensitivity. The requirement for eye safety dictates that these 3D imaging and range finding systems operate in the near infrared between 1450 and 1700 nm. The Er:YAG source with fundamental wavelength at 1645 nm developed under this SBIR program is well matched to requirements of planned 3D imaging lidars and rangefinders. With average power greater than 10 W, diffraction-limited beam quality and nanosecond pulse width, the proposed laser system has high utility for lidar systems for aircraft, ship and ground vehicle installation. Space-based lidar systems for DoD are also in the planning stages, and will benefit from the availability of the technology being developed under this program.","description":"This Phase II program will develop novel laser transmitters needed for planned airborne and space-based active remote sensing missions. This program will build on successful Phase I work to provide a Technology Readiness Level 4 (TRL-4) laboratory brassboard demonstrator of a new laser source for Differential Absorption Lidar (DIAL) measurements of atmospheric water vapor with secondary capability for methane characterization as well. Accurate measurements of both atmospheric constituents are critical to the understanding of global energy transport and climate change. Under our Phase I program, Fibertek successfully demonstrated the capability of a new laser source, a diode-pumped frequency-doubled Er:YAG laser to generate millijoule output near 823 nm that was tunable through water-vapor absorption lines for DIAL measurements. The new laser system offers simplicity and efficiency that will reduce risk for future airborne and space-based missions. Significantly, the new laser approach offers an upgrade path with reduction in size, weight, and power (SWaP) consumption over current state-of-the-art DIAL based on less-efficient non-linear parametric conversion of diode-pumped Nd:YAG lasers. This new-generation technology reduces the size and weight of flight hardware to make it compatible with affordable, more capable airborne and satellite payloads. In Phase II we propose to build on our successful Phase I demonstration to develop a full scale water vapor laser transmitter source, meeting or exceeding requirements for planned DIAL instruments.","startYear":2016,"startMonth":6,"endYear":2020,"endMonth":6,"statusDescription":"Completed","website":"","program":{"acronym":"SBIR/STTR","active":true,"description":"
The NASA SBIR and STTR programs fund the research, development, and demonstration of innovative technologies that fulfill NASA needs as described in the annual Solicitations and have significant potential for successful commercialization. If you are a small business concern (SBC) with 500 or fewer employees or a non-profit RI such as a university or a research laboratory with ties to an SBC, then NASA encourages you to learn more about the SBIR and STTR programs as a potential source of seed funding for the development of your innovations.
The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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The SBIR and STTR programs have 3 phases:
The SBIR and STTR Phase I contracts last for 6 months with a maximum funding of $125,000, and Phase II contracts last for 24 months with a maximum funding of $750,000 - $1.5 million.
Opportunity for Continued Technology Development Post-Phase II:
The NASA SBIR/STTR Program currently has in place two initiatives for supporting its small business partners past the basic Phase I and Phase II elements of the program that emphasize opportunities for commercialization. Specifically, the NASA SBIR/STTR Program has the Phase II Enhancement (Phase II-E) and Phase II eXpanded (Phase II-X) contract options.
Please review the links below to obtain more information on the SBIR/STTR programs.
Provides an overview of the SBIR and STTR programs as implemented by NASA
Provides access to the annual SBIR/STTR Solicitations containing detailed information on the program eligibility requirements, proposal instructions and research topics and subtopics
Schedule and links for the SBIR/STTR solicitations and selection announcements
Federal and non-Federal sources of assistance for small business
Search our complete archive of awarded project abstracts to learn about what NASA has funded
Still have questions? Visit the program FAQs
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