New science and new missions are enabled by access to new observables. Advanced detector technologies being developed at the JPL Microdevices Laboratory (MDL) measure electromagnetic radiation over a wide range, from soft x-rays to millimeter wavelengths. Advances are being made in spectral range, sensitivity, dimension, speed, manufacturability, etc. These new detectors enable new science opportunities across NASA. For more information, including the latest MDL Annual Report, visit https://microdevices.jpl.nasa.gov/.
Superlattice-Doped Ultraviolet Detectors
Using a fundamentally new superlattice-doping approach, MDL has developed silicon-based, deepand far-ultraviolet detectors with vastly improved stability and quantum efficiency.
High-Temperature Infrared Detectors
Using III-V semiconductor material in conjunction with novel type-II bandgap engineering, MDL is developing new classes of infrared detectors that operate at higher temperatures and have improved manufacturability over the state of the art.
Superconducting Millimeter Detectors
A new class of thermal kinetic inductance detectors are being developed for millimeter wave astronomy in the 200–300 GHz spectral range and for other objectives. These detectors have the potential to achieve excellent time and energy resolution and, most importantly, can be scaled up to megapixel arrays.
