Advanced Technology

R&D in advanced technology focuses on inventing new materials, devices, and components to enable revolutionary system capabilities. We pursue innovation in a wide set of areas, including imagers, lasers, quantum computing, microsystems, RF technology, and chemical sensors.

Advanced Imager Technology
Advanced Materials and Microsystems
Laser Technology and Applications
Microsystems Prototyping Foundry
Quantum Information and Integrated Nanosystems
RF Technology

Our group has pioneered imaging technologies that have enabled some of the world's most powerful telescopes and cameras for the defense and scientific communities. These technologies include charge-coupled-device (CCD) imagers for astronomical instruments, single-photon-sensitive imagers for foliage-penetrating ladar systems, and digital-pixel focal plane arrays for wide-area infrared cameras.

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When NASA made history in 2013 with the longest laser communication link ever demonstrated (from a Moon-orbiting satellite to Earth), our group was behind the satellite's laser transmitter and the ground terminals' highly sensitive photon detectors that enabled the link. We have a long history of developing advanced solid-state, fiber, and diode laser technologies for the scientific and defense communities.

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An orange cone warns ice camp participants to not go beyond this point. The Laboratory team placed seismometers on the fringes of camp and as close to ice cracks like this one as they were allowed to go.

Cracking the case of Arctic sea ice breakup

May 23

A photo of an iceberg with a soft yellow sky in the background. A line graph is overlaid on the image.

In the Media

Q&A: Climate Grand Challenges finalists on using data and science to forecast climate-related risk

Apr 7

MIT News

a photo of a 3d printer nozzle extriding material onto a piece of glass.

3D-printed shielding can help protect satellites from radiation damage

Mar 28

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a wire in wound up in a spool. The wire appears to be cooper and has red LEDs lit up throughout it.

microelectronics

Fiber Sensor Array Buoy

A small, low-cost system that leverages long-length fibers embedded with electronics could provide persistent monitoring of the undersea environment.

an illustration of Earth from space with two lidar-housing satellites orbiting near eachother.

Climate Observation

Atmospheric Aerosol Characterization   

We are designing a satellite-based lidar system to categorize aerosols in the atmosphere.

This image shows micro-chips for Super-DICE atop a penny for size reference.

integrated systems

Superconducting Discrete Integrated Circuit Electronics

A technology that allows system developers to combine modules produced by trusted foundries and commercial manufacturers may deliver yield enhancements and power and performance benefits to mission-critical systems.

This is an image of adiamond seed crystal that glows orange.

quantum systems and science

Diamond Magnetometer

Engineered diamonds show promising capability for use in quantum sensing of magnetic fields.

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I was drawn in by the scope of the technology research being conducted and the opportunities that would be available for me to grow professionally and personally.

Sara Canzano

Advanced Packaging Engineer

Advanced Technology

Advanced Imager Technology

Sara smiles for a photo wearing a green floral shirt. She is outside, with grass in the background.

Within my first few months at the Laboratory, I pitched a new idea for growing quantum diamonds with one of my colleagues, and it was funded internally through the Technology Office.