Compact, Low Power, Readout Electronics for KID Arrays

We propose to demonstrate a low power radiation hard readout system for frequency multiplexing of large format arrays of Kinetic Inductance Detectors (KIDs). Large format arrays of superconducting detectors are a leading technology for a number of future NASA missions described in the recent astrophysics roadmap, ?Enduring Quests ? Daring Visions? (Koubeliotou, et al.)

There are many NASA applications and programs to benefit from this R&D, which include: 1.A mission to map the polarization of the cosmic microwave background (CMB) at millimeter-wavelengths (CMB Polarization Surveyor) 2.A Far-Infrared Explorer to study star and planet formation in our galaxy and throughout cosmic time 3.A future large UV-optical-NIR mission (e.g. LUVOIR) with energy resolving single photon detectors for deep uv/optical/NIR low resolution spectroscopy 4.Future X-ray imaging spectrometers

Non-NASA applications are more limited, but certainly extend to our allies national space astrophysics programs (ESA, NASDA, ISRO, etc) in Europe, Japan, India, etc.

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 4) — 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.