Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector Arrays

Organization

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Reference Code

0066-NPP-NOV26-JPL-Astrophys

How To Apply

All applications must be submitted in Zintellect

Please visit the NASA Postdoctoral Program website for application instructions and requirements: How to Apply | NASA Postdoctoral Program (orau.org)

A complete application to the NASA Postdoctoral Program includes:

• Research proposal
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official doctoral transcript documents
  
  

Application Deadline

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

Description

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.

Description:

We have been developing Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detectors [1] for long-wavelength astrophysics imaging and spectroscopy applications. We are currently pursuing three efforts in which a postdoctoral researcher could participate.

The first is commissioning, completion of the focal plane, and science with a multicolor MKID-based mm/submm camera for the Caltech Submillimeter Observatory [2]. This is the first major astronomical instrument using MKIDs. It employs antenna coupling and photolithographic bandpass filter to access four spectral bands in each pixel. It covers a 14' FoV with 600 pixels.

The second is the development of MKIDs for FIR/short-submm applications in imaging and spectroscopy. Titanium nitride and other new materials are enabling absorber-coupled MKIDs capable of background-limited sensitivity in these applications. We are doing proof-of-principle tests to demonstrate the sensitivity of such devices.

The third is the development of a parametric amplifier using niobium titanium nitride, which holds the promise of quantum-limited performance from GHz to THz frequencies [3].

References:

[1] P.K. Day, H.G. Leduc, B.A. Mazin, A. Vayonakis, and J. Zmuidzinas. A broadband super-conducting detector suitable for use in large arrays. Nature, 425:817-821, 2003.

[2] Sunil R. Golwala, Clint Bockstiegel, Spencer Brugger, Nicole G. Czakon, Peter K. Day, Thomas P. Downes, Ran Duan, Jiansong Gao, Amandeep K. Gill, Jason Glenn, Matthew I. Hollister, Henry G. LeDuc, Philip R. Maloney, Benjamin A. Mazin, Sean G. McHugh, David Miller, Omid Noroozian, Hien T. Nguyen, Jack Sayers, James A. Schlaerth, Seth Siegel, Anastasios K. Vayonakis, Philip R. Wilson, Jonas Zmuidzinas, Status of MUSIC, the MUltiwavelength Sub/millimeter Inductance Camera, SPIE Conference Series 8452 (2012).

[3] B. Ho Eom, P. K. Day, H. G. Leduc, J. Zmuidzinas, A wideband, low-noise superconducting amplifier with high dynamic range, Nature Physics, 8: 623-627 (2012).

Location:

Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Pasadena, California

Field of Science:Astrophysics

Advisors:

Peter Day

Peter.K.Day@jpl.nasa.gov

818 354-9356

Applications with citizens from Designated Countries will not be accepted at this time, unless they are Legal Permanent Residents of the United States. A complete list of Designated Countries can be found at: https://www.nasa.gov/oiir/export-control.

Eligibility is currently open to:

• U.S. Citizens;
• U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR);
• Foreign Nationals eligible for an Exchange Visitor J-1 visa status; and,
• Applicants for LPR, asylees, or refugees in the U.S. at the time of application with 1) a valid EAD card and 2) I-485 or I-589 forms in pending status
  
  

Questions about this opportunity? Please email npp@orau.org

Point of Contact

Mikeala

Eligibility Requirements

• Degree: Doctoral Degree.