National Aeronautics and Space Administration 2018 2004 2019 - 2020 2018 EUCLID, IR telescope: 1991 1997, 1998 & 2003 Rosetta Orbiter: Microwave 2009 ISS: SAM (Spacecraft Spectral and Photometric 2018 NASA's Upper Balloon Observations Instrument (MIRO); measured LRO (Lunar Atmosphere Monitor): Imaging Receiver (SPIRE) Mars 2020, PIXL: diffractive Atmosphere of Millimetric gases from comet Churyumov- Reconnaissance next generation gas and silicon fan out boards for spot array generators, Research Satellite Extragalactic Radiation Gerasimenko, the first Orbiter), Diviner Lunar chromatograph — mass 2011 2012-2014+ the ASIC; looking back to the 2-D computer-generated (UARS) and JPL's and Geophysics microwave device in space to Radiometer Experiment: spectrometer; astronaut Mars Science Laboratory, AVIRIS-NG & HyTES: earliest moments of our universe, hologram (CGH) gratings, Microwave Limb (BOOMERANG): study a solar system body. thermopile detectors; health and safety. 2009 SAM, Tunable Laser curved diffraction investigating Dark Energy. X-Ray maps of Martian Sounder (MLS): bolometers measured identified places that Herschel Space Spectrometer (TLS): gratings); terrestrial rock chemistry. first proof of CMB to show the 2004 could preserve ice 2019 - 2020 Observatory, Spectral tunable diode lasers; ecology observations. 2018 chlorine monoxide Universe is ‘flat.” Earth Observing System for billions of years. SISTINE (Suborbital and Photometric detailed methane on Mars. Spacecraft Fire 2018 destroying ozone. (EOS) Microwave Limb Imaging Spectrograph for 1996 Imaging Receiver 2009 AVIRIS-NG & HyTES: Experiment (Saffire): Mars 2020, Sounder (MLS): first THz 2005 2010 Transition region Irradiance The High Altitude (SPIRE): enabling TacSat-3 spacecraft’s Quantum Well Infrared Combustion Product SHERLOC: gratings for the heterodyne radiometer Mars Reconnaissance Carnegie Airborne from Nearby Exoplanet): Ozone Measuring and detectors; found primary payload, the Photodetector (QWIP) Monitor (CPM) Raman and fluorescence in space; measured Orbiter (MRO), Compact Observatory (CAO) Secondary mirror over- Educational Rocket: distant infrared- Advanced Responsive Focal Plane Arrays instrument, measure spectrometers; looking stratospheric molecules, with Reconnaissance Imaging and National Ecological coated for unmatched UV advanced delta-doped luminous galaxies. Tactically-Effective (FPAs); terrestrial specific fire products at Martian organics and radiometers & other devices. Spectrometer for Mars Observatory Network reflectivity; to validate CCD to measure ozone Military Imaging ecology observations. for astronaut safety. minerals. (CRISM): curved gratings; (NEON) received MDL biosignature observations. concentration in Earth’s 2008 2009 Spectrometer, or defined Gale Crater fabricated micromachined 2018 upper atmosphere. landing site. Chandrayaan-1, Herschel Space ARTEMIS, with MDL Moon Mineralogy Observatory, fabricated gratings slits and e-beam fabricated 2012 EMIT (Earth Surface 2019 2020 1995 2001 2005 Mapper (M3): HIFI (extremely delivers processed triple-blaze convex gratings MICA (Magnetosphere Mineral Dust Source 2018 TIME (the Tomographic Mars 2020, Kuiper Airborne Genesis Mission: MDL coated Mars Reconnaissance curved gratings high-resolution far- information to the for instruments to address Ionosphere Coupling in Investigation), ISS: WFirst (Wide-Field Infrared Ionized Carbon Intensity Perseverance Mars Observatory (KAO): and shape verified >25% of the Orbiter (MRO), Mars for the imaging Infrared heterodyne warfighter on the ground a need for macroscale the Alfvén Resonator) imaging spectroscopy Survey Telescope), Hybrid- Mapping Experiment) is rover, Send Your Name heterodyne receivers; solar wind collector arrays; to Climate Sounder: spectrometer; first spectrometer): enabling within 10 minutes, measurements that reveal Sounding rocket, to study instrument, measuring Lyot Coronagraph: pupil-plane the first instrument for to Mars campaign; first detection of understand the evolution of uncooled IR thermopile signs of surficial detectors; found water following a single-pass the structural, functional aurorae: low voltage mineral compositions mask; directly image and spectral imaging array 10,932,295 names on interstellar space the solar nebula over the last detectors for Mars water in the moon’s vapor on Ceres in the collection opportunity and organismic composition delta-doped CCD array for of Earth’s dust sources characterize exoplanets and to investigate the early three silicon chips, molecular water. 4.6 billion years. atmosphere analysis. sunlit area. asteroid belt. on a specified target. of Earth's ecosystems. auroral electron detectors. for climate prediction. debris disks in star systems. history of the universe. Public outreach. 1990 2000 2005 2010 2015 2020 1995 2000 2003-2008 2007 2009 2009 2010-2012 2012-2016 2014 2018 2019 2020 Space Shuttle: Earth Observing 1 Black Brant IX Sounding Phoenix Mars Lander, Planck, HIFI (extremely SOFIA (Stratospheric Balloon-borne Large BICEP, BICEP2 & SPIDER, balloon-borne PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Europa Clipper, Mapping Office of Naval Research Signature Chips (EO-1): Hyperion Rocket, Johns Hopkins U.: MECA (Microscopy high-resolution far- Observatory for Far Aperture Submillimeter BICEP3, Antarctic experiment for CMB Energy in the Far Infrared Imaging Spectrometer for Milliwave Telescope: fabricated, high resolution delta-doped CCD in Electrochemistry, Infrared heterodyne Infrared Astronomy): Telescope (BLASTPol): telescopes for polarization: filters, Experiment), first Europa (MISE): slits and focal plane of aluminum packaged, hyper-spectral the Long-Slit Imaging and Conductivity spectrometer): heterodyne receiver; 3 arrays of 280 CMB polarization: antenna components, cubesat IR and far-IR grating with a custom KIDs fabricated on delivered and imager; E-beam Dual Order Spectrograph Analyzer): detectors; enabled high mapped/detected bolometric 250, 350, TES polarization TES Arrays; seeking measurements of Earth’s groove profile tailored to crystalline silicon tiles; flown: Public grating; technology (LIDOS) on three missions. technologies for soil precision photometry interstellar molecules. & 500 µm detectors; bolometers; testing primordial gravity waves. atmosphere from space: permit a single focal to be mm wavelength imaging outreach. validation mission. sample analysis. and polarimetry of galaxies producing for early universe fully custom thermopile used; looking for ocean when visible observation the CMB. the FIR/submm cosmic variance. 2017 detector array. habitability. is obscured. 2000 background . Stratospheric Terahertz Space Technology Observatory (STO-2), 2018 2019 2020 Research Vehicle (STRV- balloon-borne radio- Psyche: Deep Space BICEP Array 30th anniversary of 1D): Quantum Well telescope; room- Optical Communications (Background Imaging successful operations Infrared Photodetector temperature, multi-pixel, (DSOC): Superconducting of Cosmic Extragalactic and deliveries from (QWIP) focal plane frequency-multiplied local nanowire single photon Polarization): TES the Microdevices array; testing new oscillator: Life Cycle detectors (SNSPDs); focal plane; Antarctic Laboratory (MDL). technologies in orbit. of Interstellar Medium. improve communications telescopes testing for performance 10 to 100 times. early universe cosmic variability. 30 years for NASA MDL – A STORY OF CONTINUOUS ACHIEVEMENT In celebration of MDL’s 30th anniversary, the 2020 Annual Report design draws on the vibrant colors and 2005 Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO), In 1990, within a year of its opening, the Microdevices bold shapes of 1990s designs. The concept highlights Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer the optimism and influence of digital technology for Mars (CRISM): curved gratings; defined Laboratory (MDL) was producing innovative solutions to that so strongly characterized that decade and Gale Crater landing site. Mars Climate Sounder: 1 undoubtedly contributed to the emergence and uncooled IR thermopile detectors for Mars the challenges presented by NASA mission requirements. success of MDL. atmosphere analysis. Not only did MDL meet these immediate demands, but its many world-class scientists, engineers and technicians also undertook research to develop new approaches that, in many cases, were disruptive technologies. These advances enabled the achievement of previously unattainable scientific goals. The MDL staff continues this legacy today. NASA for 3 Decades of Innovation JPL Microdevices Laboratory | 2020 Annual Report Beginning The Orion nebula is a close neighbor in our Milky Way galaxy, only 1,500 light- the great years from Earth. venture Although visionary, the leaders Lew Allen, Jr. Terry Cole Carl Kukkonen responsible for the origin of the Microdevices Laboratory (MDL) came into existence in April 1990, and MDL in April 2020, we celebrated its 30th could not have imagined how anniversary. Although the COVID-19 pandemic meant it would go on developing that the celebration was virtual, it was nonetheless enthusiastic. The technology has changed in 30 years, from strength to strength but the ethos and the ability to produce unexpected, in the succeeding 30 years. innovative technology has stayed the same. This milestone anniversary is a suitable time to look back at the history of MDL, understand how its values have been perpetuated to the present and envision how they will continue into the future. Originally, MDL was a new laboratory facility, the jewel in the crown of the