Free space optical (FSO) communication holds significant promise for use in space due to its large bandwidth, high data rate, easy deployability, low power, and low mass. An optical carrier in the…

This federal contract award is for a cooperative agreement between the University of Delaware and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to evaluate the use of advanced integrated graphene-silicon photonic circuits in space-based free space optical (FSO) communication systems. The objective is to assess the performance and radiation tolerance of these miniaturized photonic integrated circuits when exposed to the conditions of microgravity and high radiation found in space environments. The project relates to NASA's technology roadmaps for optical communications and materials, and complements existing NASA initiatives like the Optical Payload for Lasercomm Science (OPALS) and Laser Communications Relay Demonstration (LCRD). The contract has a ceiling value of $89,975.85 and does not utilize any set-aside designations. The University of Delaware, as the prime contractor, will collaborate with Bell Labs Nokia on this effort.

Free space optical (FSO) communication holds significant promise for use in space due to its large bandwidth, high data rate, easy deployability, low power, and low mass. An optical carrier in the visible band could be used to establish ground-to-satellite or satelliteto- satellite links. Silicon offers high yield, high density, and low optical loss, and compatibility with cmos electronic systems. The speed of the photonic circuits would be further enhanced by single atomic layer of graphene, which could increase optical absorption and improve electrical conductivity (compared to monolithic silicon structures). Silicon photonic integrated circuits have already been implemented for 100 gbps of telecommunication bandwidth, and the addition of graphene may allow terahertz bandwidths. Through an established collaboration with bell labs nokia, we hope to further develop graphene-based integrated silicon nanophotonic circuits for use in space applications. Solid state photonic/electronic devices perform stably in vacuum. Nevertheless, the performance of such devices in microgravity and with the extreme radiation exposure of space has not yet been evaluated. Therefore, we propose a project to evaluate the potential use of advanced integrated graphene-silicon photonic circuits as part of a space-based FSO system. The miniaturized on-chip photonic circuits can be assembled into a 1U cubesat for radiation test on materials on the international space station experiment (misse). This will allow US to establish how much radiation shielding they require and how the nanoscale design of the circuits can be adjusted to better function in a high-radiation environment. This project relates directly to multiple areas laid out in the NASA technology roadmap: in particular, TA 5.1 ("optical communications and navigation") and TA 12 ("materials, structures, mechanical systems and manufacturing"). Additionally, this project complements ongoing projects at NASA such as the optical payload for lasercomm science (opals) and the laser communications relay demonstration (lcrd).