Advanced Space Radiation Detectors
Developing compact radiation detectors to provide improved data on space radiation.
Miniaturizing Radiation Detector Technology
NASA GRC is developing new radiation detectors based on wide band-gap semiconductors to meet the challenges of low-power, low-noise, multidirectional robust detectors for a wide range of particle mass and energies.
Potential technologies have been identified and demonstrated for lower power, more compact detector components. Integration of these detector technologies results in improved detector systems in comparison to existing state-of-the-art instruments for the detection and monitoring of the deep space radiation field.
The realization of these detectors leverages in-house GRC expertise and facilities in:
- Harsh environment thin films.
- Silicon carbide (SiC) devices and harsh environment packaging.
- Micro-optics technology.
- Structural radiation shielding materials.
As mission needs change, the detector technology integration can be adapted quickly for performance and optimal science benefit.
Presentations
| Title | Location | Date | Link | Video |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wide Band Gap Radiation Detectors for Deep Space Science | SiC Materials & Devices Workshop 2022, Brook Park, OH | August 2022 | ||
| Multidirectional Cosmic Ray Ion Detector for Deep Space CubeSats | 30th AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites (SmallSats), Logan, Utah | August 2016 | NTRS | |
| Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System for SmallSats beyond LEO | 2nd International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions (IPM-2014), Greenbelt, Maryland | November 2014 | NTRS | |
| Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System for CubeSat Science beyond LEO | 3rd International Workshop on LunarCubes, Palo Alto, California | November 2013 | NTRS | Video |
| Advanced Space Radiation Detector Technology Development | 59th IIS, Cleveland, Ohio | May 2013 | NTRS |
Technology Portfolio
 |
Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System (CFIDS)
The Compact Full-Field Ion Detector System (CFIDS) is a radiation particle detection system to provide information on the kinetic energies, directions, and electric charges of subatomic particles. |
 |
Low-Power Charged Particle Detector
Innovators at NASA’s Glenn Research Center have developed a miniature, solid-state radiation detector that can be used in situations where compact size, low weight, and low power consumption are required. |
 |
Fast, Large Area, Wide Band Gap UV Photodetector
A solid-state device with the ability to detect small, fast pulses of the full range of ultraviolet light (UVA, UVB, and UVC) in two nanoseconds or less. |
Contacts
Physical Sensors Instrumentation Research
Cross-Cutting Optics and Microphotonics Research
The NASA Glenn Research Center is interested in partnering with companies that can develop these technologies into commercial products. If you are interested in learning more about partnering with NASA, please contact the Technology Transfer & Partnership Office.
Publications
| Title | Author(s) | Source | Date | NTRS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Space Radiation and Impact on Instrumentation Technologies. | Wrbanek, John D. and Wrbanek, Susan Y. | NASA/TP-2020-220002 | January 2020 | NTRS |
| Room Temperature Radiation Testing of a 500 °C Durable 4H-SiC JFET Integrated Circuit Technology. | Lauenstein, Jean-Marie, Neudeck, Philip G., Ryder, Kaitlyn L., Wilcox, Edward P., Chen, Liangyu, Carts, Martin A., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Wrbanek, John D. | IEEE Nuclear and Space Radiation Effects Conference (NSREC) (San Antonio, TX.) | July 8-12, 2019 | NTRS |
| Room Temperature Total-Ionizing Dose Testing of Glenn Research Center (GRC) 500 °C Durable 4H-SiC JFET IC Technology | Ryder, Kaitlyn, Lauenstein, Jean-Marie, Wilcox, Ted, Carts, Marty, Neudeck, Philip, Wrbanek, Susan, Buttler, Robert, Chen, Liangyu, Spina, Danny | GSFC-E-DAA-TN69538 | July 24, 2018 | NTRS |
| Multidirectional Cosmic Ray Ion Detector for Deep Space CubeSats. | Wrbanek, John D. and Wrbanek, Susan Y. | AIAA/USU Conference on Small Satellites, Advanced Technologies I, SSC16-IV-2 | August 6-11, 2016 | NTRS |
| Advanced Space Radiation Detector Technology Development. | Wrbanek, John D., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Fralick, Gustave C. | 2013 Joint Conference/Symposium of the MFPT and ISA (Dayton, OH: MFPT), 457-469. NASA TM-2013-216516 | May 2013 | NTRS |
| Micro-fabricated Solid-State Radiation Detectors for Active Personal Dosimetry | Wrbanek, John D., Wrbanek, Susan Y., Fralick, Gustave C. and Chen, Liang-Yu | NASA TM-2007-214674 | January 2007 | NTRS |
| Active Solid State Dosimetry for Lunar EVA. | Wrbanek, John D., Fralick, Gustave C., Wrbanek, Susan Y. and Chen, Liang-Yu | Space Resources Roundtable VII: LEAG Conference on Lunar Exploration, LPI Contribution No. 1287 (Lunar and Planetary Institute, Houston) p. 93. | October 25–28, 2005 | NTRS |