A Space-Qualified Optical Frequency Comb with Integrated Nanophotonic Heterodyne Module

This Phase I NASA SBIR funding will be used to accelerate the development of a compact, space-qualified, octave-spanning optical frequency comb (OFC), an essential component of next-generation optical atomic clocks. The deployment of optical clocks to space carries far-reaching implications for deep-space travel, global navigation, and precision timing. However, current state of the art OFC designs are not space-qualified due to limitations in size, weight, and power (SWaP) and environmental (vibration and radiation). We will develop a low SWaP, space-qualified OFC system with multi-octave spectral coverage, enabling self-referencing and coverage of relevant atomic transitions for Yb and Sr optical atomic clocks. Our design, based on robust packaging and the replacement of bulky, radiation sensitive components with integrated nanophotonics, will lead to dramatic reduction in SWaP, and to the level of robustness necessary for long-term space travel. Our compact, low-SWaP frequency comb will have a broad impact in both space and non-space based applications. In particular, atomic clocks and (ion/atom-based) quantum computing both require the simultaneous referencing and stabilization of different wavelength lasers, and thus stand to benefit enormously from a low-SWaP, multi-octave-spanning OFC design. We are well-positioned both professionally and geographically to capitalize on this opportunity - the Chi3 Optics team has decades of experience in OFC/nonlinear optics, and is located in Boulder, CO, in close proximity to industry and academic leaders in atomic clocks and quantum computing. We thus expect that this project will naturally drive advancement in the development of these essential technologies.