Graphene Field Effect Transistors for Radiation Detection

Completed TRL 6 (started at 5, targeting 6)

Description

This is propose to develop Graphene Field Effect Transistor based Radiation Sensors (GFET-RS) for NASA Manned Spaceflight Missions anticipated in next several decades. The device consists of a graphene piece deposited on a Si substrate with certain thickness of insulation layer. In our initial experiment, constant radiation was applied above the GFET and device conductance was measured before and after the radiation. We observed an increase of the device mobility (transconductance) after the radiation. This demonstration showed that graphene is radiation hard and its conductance changes with radiation. With the IRAD fund, we will continue exploring sensing mechanisms in GFETs and identify optimal absorber substrates and device geometries to improve radiation detection speed, sensitivity, and energy resolution of our GFET-RS devices.

Benefits

This technology can also be important in future Heliophysics science missions. The study of the heliosphere, the Earth's magnetosphere, and space weather is moving past the phase where individual spacecraft can do all the research. The system science required to understand and predict space weather will need arrays of "space weather stations", and small, light-weight radiation sensors such as GFET-RS can be used on arrays of cubesats in Earth orbit, or even small satellites spread throughout the vast heliosphere. The technology promises low power consumption and high sensitivity radiation sensors for commercial space industry and other government agencies.

Details

Program	Center Innovation Fund: GSFC CIF (GSFC CIF)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2013-02-01
End date	2013-10-01

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Mary J Li — mary.j.li@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 6) — 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.

None of these are guaranteed paths for this specific project — TechPort itself doesn't have an "apply" button. Reaching out to the contact(s) above with a specific question is usually the fastest way to find out what's actually open.