Noiseless Single Photon Counting Mid-Infrared Detector

Completed TRL 2 (started at 1, targeting 2)

Description

Make a single photon mid-infrared (MIR) cryogenic test platform. Then use the platform to demonstrate noisless single photon detection of single MIR photons.

Benefits

The first noiseless single photon detector in the mid-infrared. This will give us the ability to noiseless detection of single photons at lower energies than was possible before and do so in a robust format capable of high absorption efficiency. Beyond Astronomy and Astrophysics applications these detectors can be useful for quantum sensing applications.

Details

Technology area	Communications, Navigation, and Orbital Debris Tracking and Characterization Systems > Revolutionary Communications Technologies > Quantum Communications
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
Terry Doiron — Terence.Doiron@nasa.gov
John E Sadleir — john.e.sadleir@nasa.gov
Peter C Nagler — peter.c.nagler@nasa.gov

How to get involved

This is early/mid-stage (TRL 2) — 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.