Low Power Broadband Low-Noise Amplifiers from 1-300GHz Project

A few key technology areas are moving to the use of cryogenic detectors and require state-of-the-art cryogenic amplifiers. For example, nanowire sensors for optical communication ground stations achieve 30 psec timing resolution not available in other detector technologies. Focal planes for astrophysics are driving toward megapixel arrays to do both spectroscopy and multi-object observations of targets at high Z. These applications require a back-end amplifier with high bandwidth (1-10GHz). A number of low noise amplifier technologies exist at a variety of maturity levels and with a variety of strengths and limitations. The most mature amplifier technologies are semiconducting amplifier (InP HEMT or SiGe). The InP HEMTS have the lowest noise above several GHz, and are available commercially. However, more advanced InP HEMT ICs are only available to those with specialized knowledge and contacts with industry. By contrast the SiGe circuits have lower noise below two GHz and can be manufactured as complex mixed signal circuits integrating low-noise bipolar amplifiers with CMOS. Like InP, simple commercial SiGe amplifiers are readily available, but the more complex ICs requires a designer and the use of a commercial fabrication line. One benefit of this workshop will be introducing cryogenic technologists to these specialized designers of InP and SiGe ICs, in order to form new partnerships. Along with these semi-commercial technologies there are several new amplifier concepts still in the research phase including superconducting parametric amplifiers and RF/Microwave SQUID amplifiers. These amplifier technologies offer the possibility of quantum limited noise at frequencies as high as 300 GHz, but since they are research topics themselves they are not generally available. Again by bringing the researches working on these less developed technologies together with end-users we hope to create opportunities for collaboration. In general, the use of low-noise and quantum limited amplifiers can improve the sensitivity of many instruments and enable new ones. Some of these amplifier technologies are already being used in detector systems, but many are new or may be of benefit to additional NASA projects. This workshop will allow cryogenic instrument builders and amplifier experts learn about these technologies and find new opportunities for collaboration.

There are a number of proposed instruments and missions that could benefit from this workshop. In the area of deep-space optical communication, there is a proposed >200 MBit/sec link on a Mars 2018 or 2020 orbiter. The use of SiGe ASICs for signal combining could dramatically simplify the ground terminal detectors systems. For Astronomy, there are a number of large cameras being developed initially for ground based telescopes using MKID detectors (e.g. MUSIC and an instrument suite for CCAT).

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — the most realistic path in is NASA SBIR/STTR, which funds small businesses and research institutions to develop technology aligned with NASA's needs (equity-free, phased funding). Check whether a current SBIR/STTR solicitation topic overlaps with this project's technology area, or contact the project directly (above) to ask.

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