Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Ultra-Low Noise Quad Photoreceiver for Space Based Laser Interferometric Gravity Wave Detection, Phase II
Project Introduction
We propose to design and develop 2x2 quad p-i-n InGaAs Photoreceivers having the following characteristics: (a) Active area diameter 0.75 mm; (b) Wavelength coverage 850 to 1700 nm, with responsivity of 0.7 A/W at 1064 nm; (c) Bandwidth up to 20 MHz for the individual quadrant; (d) Group Delay < 6 degrees/MHz; (e) Photodiode capacitance for individual quadrant of <1.5 pF at a reverse bias of 5V; (f) Cross talk between the neighboring quadrants of -45 to -50 dB; (g) Equivalent excess noise per quadrant <2 pA/sq. rt. Hz in the pass band; and (h) Noise Equivalent Power (NEP) due to excess noise <2.9 pW/sq. rt. Hz in the pass band. Six prototype quad photoreceivers will be delivered during the Phase II contract. These devices will be an enabling technology for the success of the Laser Interferometry Space Antenna (LISA) which proposes to detect gravity waves by using a space based interferometric sensor having a baseline of 5 million kilometers. Detection of gravity waves is crucial to our fundamental understanding of nature, including the origin of the universe and experimental verification of the theory of relativity.
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Anticipated Benefits
The dual-depletion region technology allows high speed quad photodiode operation in conjunction with good noise performance. Consequently, the low-noise, large area photoreceivers can be used for military and commercial applications, such as: 1) Infrared sensing including biomedical imaging & spectroscopy; 2) Laser targeted munitions tracking; 3) Wind profiling for airport safety and wind farm site selection. The low-noise large area photoreceivers are suitable for numerous space-based optical systems, such as: 1) Long baseline laser interferometry; 2) Global 3D profiling of wind velocity; 3) River flow, height, and width monitoring for improved water resource management; and 4) Remote sensing missions to other planets. These devices can also to be used for ground-based free-space NASA applications, such as wind mapping for rocket launches.
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Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery Semiconductors, Inc. | Lead Organization |
Industry
Minority-Owned Business
|
Ewing, New Jersey |
Goddard Space Flight Center
(GSFC)
|
Supporting Organization | NASA Center | Greenbelt, Maryland |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
Maryland
-
New Jersey
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Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Organization:
- Discovery Semiconductors, Inc.
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Feb 2010
End: Feb 2012
Technology Maturity (TRL)
| Start: | 4 |
| Current: | 5 |
| Estimated End: | 5 |
Applied Research
Development
Demo & Test
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.1 Remote Sensing Instruments/Sensors
- TX08.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes
Target Destination
Earth
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