Development of infrared detectors and focal plane arrays for space instruments

The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers unique research opportunities to highly-talented scientists to engage in ongoing NASA research projects at a NASA Center, NASA Headquarters, or at a NASA-affiliated research institute. These one- to three-year fellowships are competitive and are designed to advance NASA's missions in space science, Earth science, aeronautics, space operations, exploration systems, and astrobiology. This specific opportunity focuses on the Infrared Photonics group working on development of new generation of mid- and long-wavelength infrared imagers and spectrometers for future Earth and planetary science missions. The postdoctoral researcher will have an unique opportunity to work on different aspects of the infrared technology including: design and bandgap engineering of semiconductor superlattices, material characterization, device microfabrication, single pixel detector and focal plane array characterization, and integration and testing of infrared cameras and spectrometers. These imagers, based on semiconductor detectors, will provide enhanced sensitivity, better spatial and spectral resolutions, and higher operating temperatures than currently existing technologies utilizing novel unipolar barrier detector architectures as well as new materials such as GaSb-based alloys and superlattices.