NASA has a long history using spectroscopic probes for space-based Earth science and extraterrestrial missions. These past missions have not been tunable laser based because the tunable laser locking and control technology has been immature. This project will significantly increase the maturity and availability of precision laser frequency locking and control systems, which will lower the barrier for use in a wide array of future NASA missions. In addition to ASCENDS, these include future Venture Class UAV missions for methane, and future planetary science missions.
Frequency locking is essential for nearly all spectroscopic measurements. This technology is particularly well suited to the complex lasers systems needed in the field of cold-atom sensing, including atomic clocks, cold-atom inertial sensors, ultra-cold plasmas, and atomic magnetometers and gravimeters.
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