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Determining Radiation Hardness of Novel Visible-Blind Photodetectors for UV Astrophysics Applications

Completed TRL 2 (started at 2, targeting 2)

Description

GSFC and industry partners are currently pursuing the development of UV-sensitive, visible-blind SiC and AlGaN detectors, which are ideal for UV astrophysics applications, especially broadband near-UV imaging (200-300 nm, e.g., Swift/UVOT, ULTRASAT, UVEX). We will determine whether these UV detectors are sufficiently radiation-hard for space-based applications by carrying out deep irradiation gamma-ray and proton testing.

Benefits

The radiation test results would strongly motivate additional development of these exciting technologies for space-based astrophysics applications.

Details

Technology areaSensors and Instruments > Remote Sensing Instruments and Sensors > Detectors and Focal Planes
ProgramCenter Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organizationGoddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date2024-10-01
End date2025-09-30

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