TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER LICENSING OPPORTUNITY: Optical De-Multiplexing Method for QKD Encryption (LEW-TOPS-163)
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- T2P-GRC-00135
- Agency
-
Marshall Space Flight Center
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 927110 Space Research and Technology
- PSC
- 9999 Miscellaneous Items
- Points of contact
-
- NASA's Technology Transfer Program agency-patent-licensing@mail.nasa.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center has published a special notice announcing a technology transfer licensing opportunity for an optical de-multiplexing method used in quantum key distribution (QKD) encryption, designated as LEW-TOPS-163. The technology involves a space-and-wave (SAW) division method that can separate low energy quantum key distribution photons from high energy free space optical transmissions using specialized fiber optic cable. This NASA-developed innovation enables the simultaneous transmission of optical data and built-in photonic QKD encryption keys by exploiting double-clad fiber optic cable with specific core and cladding dimensions. The method utilizes weak coherent pulsed light rather than entangled photons for sending and receiving encryption keys. The technology was specifically designed for free space optical communications applications and can be applied to encrypt any such communications.
The purpose of this special notice is to solicit inquiries from companies interested in obtaining licensing rights to commercialize, manufacture, and market this quantum encryption technology. Interested parties must submit their license applications through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS) by visiting the specified website, with a deadline of July 17, 2026. License rights may be issued on either an exclusive or nonexclusive basis and may include specific fields of use restrictions. Companies seeking more information can contact NASA's Technology Transfer Program via email using the technology's title and providing their preferred contact information. NASA explicitly states that no funding is provided in conjunction with these potential licenses, meaning interested companies must have their own resources for commercialization efforts.
Notice text
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.
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity