# TECHNOLOGY/BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Three Phase Spectral Interferometry (3PSI) and Signal Processing Canonical: https://abierto.us/opportunities/il13751andil13826 - Solicitation number: IL-13751andIL-13826 - Notice type: Special notice - Status: Closed. Deadline was February 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM EST - Department: Department of Energy - Contracting office: LLNS – DOE Contractor (899011) - NAICS: 334417 Electronic Connector Manufacturing - Place of performance: Livermore, California - County: Alameda County (FIPS 06001). https://abierto.us/counties/alameda-county-ca-06001 - City: Livermore. https://abierto.us/cities/livermore-ca-0641992 - First posted: January 5, 2024 - Last posted: January 5, 2024 - SAM.gov: https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/94eb3684ecd9489fa5b4aa660b1bb793/view ## Description **Opportunity:** Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), operated by the Lawrence Livermore National Security (LLNS), LLC under contract no. DE-AC52-07NA27344 (Contract 44) with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), is offering the opportunity to enter into a collaboration to further develop and commercialize its self-referencing technique for precisely characterizing complex, transient ultrafast laser optical pulses. **Background:** Characterizing ultrafast single shot laser pulses are particularly challenging and are being required more and more for laser induced inertial confinement fusion and high energy density physics research and for high peak power laser pulse shape control in Additive Manufacturing. Techniques for measuring the power and instantaneous wavelength (or, equivalently, the temporal phase) of ultrafast optical pulses (<1 ns duration) generally fall into two categories: time domain and spectral domain. Time domain methods determine the power vs time directly. Examples include high-bandwidth photodiodes, cross-correlators, and streak cameras. Spectral methods measure the complex spectrum (spectral flux and phase) of the entire pulse. There is a need for ever more precise and easy to use spectral methods. **Description:** This LLNL invention proposes a novel approach to spectral interferometry, the preferred technique for characterizing nanosecond long records of laser pulse shapes with femtosecond resolution. Linear techniques are much more sensitive than the many nonlinear techniques of the prior art and can be used for very weak pulses. However, they depend on being able to interfere the signal with a well characterized reference pulse. This invention features a 3x3 polarization maintaining fiber coupler which combines the signal and a broadband light source used as a reference. The 3 outputs spectral interferograms are ideally identically except for a known phase shift of 0, +120 and -120 degrees. A novel algorithm deconvolves the complex input signal from these 3 outputs. **Advantages/Benefits:** The use of a 3x3 PM fiber coupler eliminates the need for a well characterized reference pulse. Polarization instabilities are eliminated by using polarization maintaining fiber. The novel algorithm incorporates arbitrary phase shifts and is not dependent on precise 90 degree shifts used in quadrature spectral interferometry. **Potential Applications:** Ultrafast transient optical signal characterization. Laser pulse shape control for next generation additive manufacturing. Laser pulse shape control for inertial fusion energy. **Development Status:** Current stage of technology development: TRL 4 LLNL has filed for patent protection on this invention. LLNL is seeking industry partners with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Moving critical technology beyond the Laboratory to the commercial world helps our licensees gain a competitive edge in the marketplace. All licensing activities are conducted under policies relating to the strict nondisclosure of company proprietary information. Please visit the IPO website at https://ipo.llnl.gov/resources for more information on working with LLNL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process. **Note:** THIS IS NOT A PROCUREMENT. Companies interested in commercializing LLNL's Self-referencing technique for precisely characterizing complex, transient ultrafast laser optical pulses should provide an electronic OR written statement of interest, which includes the following: Company Name and address. The name, address, and telephone number of a point of contact. A description of corporate expertise and/or facilities relevant to commercializing this technology. Please provide a complete electronic OR written statement to ensure consideration of your interest in LLNL's Self-referencing technique for precisely characterizing complex, transient ultrafast laser optical pulses. The subject heading in an email response should include the Notice ID and/or the title of LLNL’s Technology/Business Opportunity and directed to the Primary and Secondary Point of Contacts listed below. Written responses should be directed to: Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Innovation and Partnerships Office P.O. **Box 808, L-779 Livermore, CA 94551-0808 Attention:** IL-13751 and IL-13826 ## Publications - January 5, 2024: Special notice, due February 5, 2024 at 4:00 PM EST. Notice 94eb3684ecd9489fa5b4aa660b1bb793. https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/94eb3684ecd9489fa5b4aa660b1bb793/view ## Points of contact - IPO Support, ipo-support@llnl.gov, 9254226416 - Elsie Quaite-Randall, quaiterandal1@llnl.gov, 9254237302 --- Source: SAM.gov Contract Opportunities bulk extract. Confirm deadlines on SAM.gov before responding. Cite https://abierto.us/opportunities/il13751andil13826.