TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Optical De-Multiplexing Method for QKD Encryption (LEW-TOPS-163)

NASA’s Technology Transfer Program solicits inquiries from companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture and market the following technology. License rights may be issued on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use. NASA provides no funding in conjunction with these potential licenses. 

THE TECHNOLOGY:  

NASA inventors have developed a space-and-wave (SAW) division method to de-multiplex low energy quantum key distribution (QKD) photons from high energy free space optical transmissions. The method exploits available double-clad fiber optic cable with 9um core fiber diameter and 105um 1st cladding outer diameter. By optimizing wavelengths used for QKD photon and data transmission (wave division), a focusing lens can be used to create a diffraction pattern that focuses QKD photons on the core and the higher energy signal onto the 1st cladding (spatial division). The SAW method enables de-multiplexing of simultaneously transmitted optical data and built-in photonic QKD encryption keys. The method was developed by NASA to send and receive encryption keys using weak coherent pulsed light rather than entangled photons; it can be applied to the encryption of any free space optical communications. 

To express interest in this licensing opportunity, please submit a license application through NASA’s Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting https://technology.nasa.gov/patent/LEW-TOPS-163  

If you have any questions, please e-mail NASA’s Technology Transfer Program at Agency-Patent-Licensing@mail.nasa.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this SAM.gov notice and your preferred contact information. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at https://technology.nasa.gov/. 

These responses are provided to members of NASA’s Technology Transfer Program for the purpose of promoting public awareness of NASA-developed technology products, and conducting preliminary market research to determine public interest in and potential for future licensing opportunities. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.