High-efficiency and high-resolution x-ray and gamma-ray imaging detectors for space science

In the past few decades, there have been significant advances in photodetectors and imaging arrays for ultraviolet (UV) and longer wavelength light. However, for revealing some of the mysteries of the cosmos, x-ray observations are indispensable because much of the baryonic matter, and the sites for the most active energy releases in the Universe, are primarily observable in x-rays. Closer to home, NASA’s future exploration of our solar system will require significant advances in hard x-ray detectors and imaging arrays, particularly in quantum efficiency, spatial resolution, and pixel count. For the 2030s and beyond, an x-ray observatory with power matching the capabilities in other wavebands, such as NASA’s planned LYNX x-ray observatory, is a necessary discovery engine for a better exploration of the Universe.

A number of current and planned NASA projects and missions will require advances in x-ray detection and imaging capabilities in terms of better device performance, higher reliability, and lower cost of production. For example, some of the primary objectives for the NASA's Heliophysics Research Program to understand the Sun and its interactions with the Earth and the Solar System, including space weather, require detailed measurements of hard x-rays emitted from the Sun using a number of spaceborne x-ray telescopes. The proposed improvements in hard x-ray detection efficiency, spatial resolution, and long-term stability, as well as lower cost of production, in this project will be very important for the success of these missions. Another area of interest for future NASA projects is the application of high-performance x-ray imaging detectors for x-ray microscopy in non-destructive-inspection (NDI) of structures and parts. For example, NASA’s Moon and Mars exploration will greatly rely on developing the capabilities for making the needed parts and tools on-site by additive manufacturing techniques, e.g., 3D printing, using the available raw materials, instead of carrying them in the payload. For this objective, in-situ NDI of the 3D printed parts using a compact high-resolution x-ray imaging system will be critical for the fabrication as well as the safe and reliable operation of the equipment and systems in these missions. The development of the proposed x-ray imaging detector in this project can lead to significant improvement in the performance of systems that employ these detectors. In addition to current and future NASA projects, x-ray imaging systems including x-ray microscopes are widely used for non-destructive characterization and visualization of different materials and structures. Since high energy x-rays are weakly absorbed and refracted inside materials, they can be used as a deep probe to gain knowledge about the interior composition and structure of objects. X-ray microscopes are essential tools in a number of fields including biological sciences, medical research and diagnosis, materials science and manufacturing, industrial inspection and quality control, and many others.

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.