Barr Associates Space-Qualified Optical Filters

New Ultraviolet (UV) filter technology developed under a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with Barr Associates of Westford, Mass. has significantly enhanced NASA's ability to study a variety of atmospheric phenomena on Earth and other planets and moons within our solar system. In addition, any scientist using this technology in instruments, like spectroradiometers, can better observe a number of atmospheric conditions such as: holes developing in the ozone layer; chemical reactions of environmental pollutants; atmospheric composition around planets or moons; or the greenhouse effect.

Barr filter technology development has enhanced the ability of scientists to study our solar system and the composition and chemistry of the earth's atmosphere. Satellite based instruments operating in the UV range are used to analyze the composition of atmospheres around other planets and moons. On the earth, lidar instruments are used for ozone studies and the chemical reactions associated with environmental pollutants. Outside NASA, this technology has found significant applications in fiber optic communications and a new class of portable laboratory instruments.

For Additional Information:

http://sbir.jpl.nasa.gov/

http://nctn.hq.nasa.gov/innovation/Innovation35/New_Filter.html