What does your role entail on a day-to-day basis?
My team and I grow mercury cadmium telluride, which is an infrared absorbing semiconductor. We use Molecular Beam Epitaxy, an ultra-high vacuum deposition technology. It is sensitive to infrared radiation and is used to make the sensors in our cameras for a variety of applications – astronomy, military, Earth sensing and more. We cover the entire spectrum from near infrared to long wavelength. The infrared aspect is very important in astronomy because the gases in interstellar space do not scatter infrared as efficiently as they do visible light, so our sensors allow astronomers to see much more detail in the infrared spectrum.
We supply infrared detectors for both terrestrial and space-based applications. We have a large presence on the James Webb Space Telescope that’s making all kinds of new discoveries. We have also been involved in the Hubble Space Telescope and several spacecraft that have visited asteroids such as Bennu and returned material to Earth for analysis.
Our sensors are also important in satellite Earth sensing applications, such as those looking at climate change and how the environment is altering (for example, carbon dioxide and methane). Then, there are military applications such as missile-seeking sensors. All of these are important areas for Teledyne. It is challenging work and the materials are state-of-the-art. That is why I enjoy my role so much.
What missions have you worked on recently?
The most exciting was our work on the James Webb Space Telescope. When it was launched on Christmas Day several years ago, I was on tenterhooks, hoping that it would all go smoothly and the rocket would launch successfully. As it turned out, everything was flawless and the telescope is now operating about one million miles away from Earth. That was a big accomplishment for us and the thousands of people who worked on that project for many years – and something of which I am very proud.
Something I am working on now is even bigger for our team, as we are making even larger sensor arrays than we made for the James Webb Space Telescope. These arrays are approximately 8cm on a side and have more than 64 million pixels. These are part of both missile-tracking and environmental sensing projects. Of course, astronomers would also love to have them in their telescopes. Researchers are asking for bigger and better arrays that give higher quality resolution and pictures. Teledyne sensors as a business has existed for a number of years at a certain level but is now working to transition into producing larger quantities of sensor materials, as well as the sensors themselves. So, when production is ramped up the growth opportunities also increase.
How big is your team?
The group I am in has about ten people and our facility in Camarillo has around 175-200 people working here. We are growing so much that we are actively hiring right now. Candidates who are applying to us are coming with excellent experience in semiconductor work and the types of materials we produce. We also like to strike a balance with hiring younger people right out of education as well, as they are ambitious, energetic and come with new ideas.
Do you have any hobbies related to space and astronomy?
I don’t spend much of my spare time thinking about space as I get so much out of it when I am at work! I enjoy model railroading and have had that interest since childhood. I am part of a model railroad club close to where I live and am active in that. It helps me switch off and relax in my spare time.
What do you enjoy most about working in the space sector?
I love being part of a team that has been working on a mission that we can see launched into space or employed in a ground-based telescope. That gives us a thrill of accomplishment, leading to new discoveries of the universe.
Do you think you will ever retire?
I love the work and am fascinated by it. Teledyne is a very good company to work for and I am happy here. I am well past retirement age now but have no desire to stop. There are still problems to be solved!
It’s an exciting time to work at Teledyne, as we are growing our teams all around the world. We are winning a lot of new business and I believe it is due to our top-quality people and products. We use technology in a great way too, to further our work and benefit mankind.
