Patent — available for licensing
Quantum Cascade Laser Source and Transceiver
A NASA invention available to explore as a licensing opportunity.
About this technology
Overview
Innovators at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a cutting-edge quantum cascade laser (QCL) source and terahertz transceiver that integrates a surface plasmon waveguide, addressing the growing demand for compact, high-resolution systems in communication, material characterization, and metrology. This state-of-the-art technology is designed for planetary science missions, enabling unprecedented characterization of planetary surfaces, including molecular inhomogeneities, isotope ratios, and compositional variation with depth. The QCL source and transceiver are optimized for use in a variety of applications, including cubesats, suborbital missions, and space-based instruments, making it integral to NASA’s exploration and science missions. The system plays a critical role supporting In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) by mapping and quantifying lunar water resources, providing ground-truth validation for remote measurements. Its capabilities extend to analyzing surface properties such as dielectric constants, conductivity, thermal inertia, surface roughness, and porosity, advancing the potential for sustainable lunar exploration and beyond.