← Back to NASA Technology Projects
Completed TRL 3 (started at 2, targeting 3)
The future of experimental cosmology and astrophysics is intimately tied to the progress of remote sensing technology of millimeter and far-IR instruments. I will contribute to this progress by designing new optics and receiver technologies to increase throughput, speed, and sensitivity. Specifically, I will 1) develop high-throughput optics by using micro-machining technologies to fabricate highly efficient anti-reflection (AR) coatings at far-IR and mm wavelengths and by 2) designing and testing new transition edge sensor (TES) bolometer readout architectures based on microwave superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) multiplexing. My contributions to these technologies will further the development of diffraction limited performance across large-format, low noise, high density focal plan detector arrays resulting in new technologies applicable to a broad range of NASA missions and experimental cosmology instruments. With the technologies that I propose to develop, we will have the potential to probe a wide range of astrophysics such as the physics of inflation at fractions of a second after the big bang, the evolution of protoplanetary disks, and star formation in nearby galaxies.
This research will further the development of diffraction limited performance across large-format, low noise, high density focal plan detector arrays resulting in new technologies applicable to a broad range of NASA missions and experimental cosmology instruments. Developing these technologies will have the potential to probe a wide range of astrophysics such as the physics of inflation at fractions of a second after the big bang, the evolution of protoplanetary disks, and star formation in nearby galaxies.
Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.
This is early/mid-stage (TRL 3) — 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.