Waveguide-integrated MKIDs for on-chip high-resolution near-infrared spectrometers

Develop a detector technology that enables on-chip cryogenic spectrometers with (1) near- and mid-infrared wavelength range (2) single photon sensitivity and (3) practical scalability to thousands of channels.

DSOC ground terminal is currently baselining a complex superconducting detector instrument with a 1K cryostat at the Palomar Observatory. CIF-funded MoSi technology development could feed directly into DSOC project, reducing cost, risk, and complexity. Can also benefit other SNSPD applications, such as quantum communication, quantum computing, and optical ranging. If used as a drop-in replacement for WSi, MoSi can make JPL more competitive for single photon detector development projects from NASA, DARPA, private industry and OGAs.

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.

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.