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

NASA's Technology Transfer Program is seeking companies interested in obtaining license rights to commercialize, manufacture, and market a technology developed by NASA inventors. The technology is an optical de-multiplexing method for QKD encryption, which enables the de-multiplexing of simultaneously transmitted optical data and built-in photonic QKD encryption keys. The method uses a space-and-wave division technique and can be applied to the encryption of any free space optical communications. Key features of the technology include: • The use of double-clad fiber optic cable with a 9um core fiber diameter and 105um 1st cladding outer diameter • The optimization of wavelengths used for QKD photon and data transmission • The creation of a diffraction pattern that focuses QKD photons on the core and the higher energy signal onto the 1st cladding • The ability to send and receive encryption keys using weak coherent pulsed light rather than entangled photons Companies interested in this licensing opportunity can submit a license application through NASA's Automated Technology Licensing Application System (ATLAS).