Development of Solar Blind UV Photodetectors and Photocathodes Using III-Nitride Material

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

0064-NPP-NOV
26-JPL-Tech Dev

11/1/2026 6:00:59 PM Eastern Time Zone

About the NASA Postdoctoral Program:
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.

We are currently developing an all-solid state photon counting detector to operate in the solar blind ultraviolet range using a new III‑N avalanche photodiode (APD) array technology. Compared to the current state-of-the-art in flight-ready microchannel plate (MCP) sealed tubes, this Solar-blind Ultraviolet Avalanche (SUAV) detector array technology will increase the quantum efficiency by at least a factor of five and significantly enhance both fabrication yield and reliability.

Because it is solid state, it does not require high voltage, and it does not require a photocathode that requires cesium or other highly reactive material for activation. Furthermore, due to the wide bandgap of the material, the operating temperature of the detector is higher than more conventional silicon detectors and it is more radiation tolerant. These performance improvements and system simplifications will enable a ~4‑meter medium‑class ultraviolet (UV) spectroscopic and imaging mission that is of the highest scientific priority for NASA.

Successful candidate will develop processing, fabrication, and characterization techniques for solar blind UV detectors and particle detectors supported by NASA and DoD. The candidate will interact with collaborators at JPL, University of South Carolina, SUNY‑Albany, and other institutions, work in a team environment for UV detector development, and contribute to the team’s expansion into new directions. The candidate will publish results in technical refereed journals and present results at technical conferences.

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Technology Development

Shouleh Nikzad
shouleh.nikzada.gov

• Degree:
  Doctoral Degree.

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