Cryogenic Etching of Ultra-Low Reflective Black-Silicon for NIR, mid-IR and Submillimeter Wavelengths

Completed TRL 4 (started at 2, targeting 4)

Description

Investigate and manipulate the cryogenic etching process, the geometry of the silicon needles, and resistivity of the wafer to achieve BSI with maximum absorption tuned to the wavelength range of NIR, mid-IR, and submillimeter followed by optical characterization of the etched wafers.

Benefits

Instruments used in LUVOIR, LISA, CMB, OST, MIDEX, and SOFIA/balloon suborbital opportunities.

Details

Technology area	Sensors and Instruments > In Situ Instruments and Sensors
Program	Center Independent Research & Development: GSFC IRAD (GSFC IRAD)
Lead organization	Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD
Start date	2019-10-01
End date	2020-09-30

Project contacts

Listed on TechPort itself — the most direct way to ask about this specific project.

Emily L Wilson — emily.l.wilson@nasa.gov
Keith M Jahoda — keith.m.jahoda@nasa.gov
Terence A Doiron — terence.a.doiron@nasa.gov
Ron S Shiri — ron.shiri@nasa.gov
Christine A Jhabvala — christine.a.jhabvala@nasa.gov
Edward J Wollack — edward.j.wollack@nasa.gov
Georgi T Georgiev — georgi.t.georgiev@nasa.gov
James C Butler — james.c.butler@nasa.gov
Jeffrey C Livas — jeffrey.livas-1@nasa.gov

How to get involved

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.