How Type-II Superlattice (T2SL) Focal Planes Changed the Infrared Landscape

Abstract:
In this presentation, Sarath Gunapala will discuss his experience as a technologist (developing novel infrared detectors/ focal plane arrays for various remote sensing applications) and how T2SL focal plane array technology has changed the Infrared Landscape.

About the Speaker:
Sarath D. Gunapala received a First Class Honors BSc in physics from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1980, and an MS and PhD in Physics from the University of Pittsburgh in 1986. In his early years of research, Sarath worked on opto-electronic devices at Bell Communication Research and AT&T Bell Laboratories in Murray Hill, New Jersey. Later he joined NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California where he is a Fellow, Senior Research Scientist and a Principal Member of the Engineering Staff. Sarath has authored over 350 journal publications, 14 book chapters, and holds 27 U.S. patents. He has received numerous awards including the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal, NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, Career Achievement Award from U.S. Army/RDECOM/CERDEC, IEEE Aron Kressel Award, Military Sensing Symposia (MSS) Herschel Award, MSS Levinstein Award, SPIE George Goddard Award, and was inducted to United States Space Technology Hall of Fame 2001. He is also a fellow member of IEEE, SPIE, and Optica.