Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector Arrays

Microwave Kinetic Inductance Detector Arrays Position: NASA Postdoctoral Program opportunity at Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Pasadena, California. Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Reference Code 0066-NPP-NOV25-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 (). Research proposal Three letters of recommendation Official doctoral transcript documents Application Deadline 11/1/2025 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 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. 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. References: [1] P.K. Day, H.G. Leduc, B.A. Mazin, A. Vayonakis, and J. Zmuidzinas. A broadband superconducting 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 818-354-9356 Designated countries: Applications from citizens of 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: Eligibility Degree: Doctoral Degree. Seniority level Internship Employment type Full-time Job function Other Industries Government Administration Questions about this opportunity? Please email Point of Contact Mikeala #J-18808-Ljbffr

Created: 2025-09-17