Approaching the Fano Limit with UV, Optical, and Near-Infrared MKIDs

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors, or MKIDs, are the most capable superconducting detectors for UVOIR astronomy. Unlike conventional semiconducting detectors, MKIDs can determine the energy and arrival time of each incoming photon without read noise or dark current. They are the only UVOIR superconducting detector technology that have been demonstrated in ground-based astronomical applications with arrays of up to 20,000 pixels. Recent breakthroughs have enabled us to more than double their spectral resolution, to R=33 at 400 nm. In this proposal we lay out a plan to improve spectral resolution of these UVOIR MKIDs to near the Fano limit, R>80 at 400 nm, while also addressing other requirements for future NASA missions like integrating anti-reflection (AR) coatings for improved QE.

The Astrophysics Research and Analysis program (APRA) supports suborbital and suborbital-class investigations, development of detectors and supporting technology, laboratory astrophysics, and limited ground based observing. Basic research proposals in these areas are solicited for investigations that are relevant to NASA's programs in astronomy and astrophysics, including the entire range of photons, gravitational waves, and particle astrophysics. The emphasis of this solicitation is on technologies and investigations that advance NASA astrophysics missions and goals.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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