Above: This Hubble image shows the spiral galaxy Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy. In 2008, using UV images collected by the Galex spacecraft,astronomers discovered the birth of new stars in the spiral arms of Messier 83. At 15 million light-years from Earth, this galaxy has also presented many supernova explosions and may have a double nucleus at its core. CREDIT: NASA, ESA, and the Hubble Heritage Team (STScI/AURA), William Blair (Johns Hopkins University).
Advanced Detectors, Systems & Nanoscience
Advances generated at MDL will extend our vision to unprecedented sensitivities, enabling future discoveries and capabilities.
MDL develops high-performance devices, instrument components, and systems through innovative design and nanoscale bandstructure engineering by employing epitaxial techniques such as molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE) and atomic layer deposition (ALD). Through the use of JPL-invented delta-doping and superlattice-doping MBE techniques, we can achieve 100% internal quantum efficiency (QE). By combining these techniques with novel antireflection coatings using ALD, we have demonstrated reliable and repeatable performance in QE in the ultraviolet. ALD is now in use to develop highly reflective coatings to enable higher-throughput UV instruments. Additionally, these techniques can be applied to other materials and detector systems such as gallium nitride and its alloys for detector and photocathode configuration. While work is largely in support of astrophysics, planetary, and heliophysics research, studies are also underway for applications in medical diagnostics and industrial uses.
