99--TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER OPPORTUNITY HIGH-DENSITY OPTICAL DATA STORAGE SYSTEM

Synopsis: NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA 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: Scientists at NASA Langley Research Center have developed a novel approach for a high-density optical data storage system to advance the typical capabilities of an optical data storage system. Actively programmable short focal length, approximately 100 microns or less, enables design of compact, durable optical data storage systems. The high-density data storage capability is solely a function of the reduced laser/X-ray spot size, which is smaller than the wavelength of light used. Operating at any laser wavelength from infrared (IR), visible, ultraviolet (UV), and soft X-ray regime, the NASA technology utilizes special beam focusing techniques to achieve extremely short focal lengths and ultra-small spot sizes. The NASA technology for the high-density optical data storage system is based on two known methods to manage beam focal length and spot size using interference methods. One of those focusing methods is an electro-optic micro zone plate developed at NASA, where the micro zone plate lens is constructed of an electro-optically active material that changes its index of refraction with applied voltage, thus creating what is essentially a programmable micro zone plate lens, with active control of the focal length/ focal point spot size. Micro zone plates are used commercially in applications such as soft X-ray microscopes. The other beam focusing method is referred to as the Photonic DART method, also developed at NASA, using novel variations of the micro zone plate approach with varying heights of the rings able to achieve an even smaller spot size using destructive interference ring pattern, which is optimized with diffraction limit. This technique can be used with dye-based optical media, phase change media, or photo-luminescent media. U.S. patent 8,018,815 To express interest in this opportunity, please respond to contact@example.gov with the title of this Technology Transfer Opportunity as listed in this FBO notice and your preferred contact information. Please also provide the nature of your interest in the technology along with a brief background of your company. For more information about licensing other NASA-developed technologies, please visit the NASA Technology Transfer Portal at http://technology.nasa.gov/ . These responses are provided to members of NASA Langleys Office of Strategic Analysis and Business Development OSACB 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. If direct licensing interest results from this posting, OSACB will follow the required formal licensing process of posting in the Federal Register. No follow-on procurement is expected to result from responses to this Notice.