Frequency combs could be infused to future NASA CAL missions. In addition, combs from this Phase II could support JPL�s Massively Parallel, Cavity-Enhanced, Laser Spectroscopy for Planetary and Lunar Exploration (MCELS) program. Finally, frequency combs could be modified to provide calibration for ground telescopes searching for exo-planets (Astro-combs).
A robust, commercially available frequency comb will have significant collateral benefit to civilian and defense applications. Frequency combs have found their way into the search for exoplanets, introduced powerful techniques for parallel spectroscopy of explosives and biochemical weapons, and provided coherent LIDAR as an alternative to laser ranging.
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