Microwave to optics conversion

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 high-efficiency conversion of microwave signals to the optical domain using high quality factor, optically nonlinear whispering gallery resonators. The project aims to create a prototype of a photonic receiver for ultra-compact W-band (94 GHz) radar designed for Cubesat and Smallsat atmospheric studies. Applications range from terahertz spectroscopy to building quantum computing networks. The position is located at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, under the Technology Development field of science.