\n\tThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, announces that the MIT Lincoln Laboratory was presented with the Herschel Award at the recent 2016 Military Sensing Symposia Detectors and Materials Conference for its development of digital-pixel readout integrated circuits.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe Herschel Award was given by the Military Sensing Symposia (MSS) Specialty Group on Detectors and Materials, and it recognizes a major breakthrough in infrared device science or technology.<\/p>\n
\n\tDigital-pixel readout integrated circuits can achieve very high dynamic range, high sensitivity, and fast data rate compared to conventional technology. The laboratory team received the award for its work on the Vital Infrared Sensor Technology Acceleration (VISTA) program. The VISTA program was a tri-service program managed by the U.S. Army’s Night Vision and Electronic Sensors Directorate. It was established to improve the nation’s capability in advanced infrared focal plane array technology for military sensors. <\/p>\n
\n\tSir William Herschel was a British astronomer who is credited with discovering infrared radiation. One of the most prestigious awards offered by the MSS, the Herschel Award is not bestowed annually, but only when the selection committee, composed of leading members of the infrared scientific community, determines an individual or organization has contributed a significant advancement to the infrared science and industry community. Until this year, the Herschel Award had not been presented since 2011.<\/p>\n
\n\t“This is the result of the hard work of many engineers over nearly 15 years,” said Michael Kelly, associate leader of Lincoln Laboratory’s Advanced Imager Technology Group and a principal investigator on the development team. “It is because of the dedication and hard work of some of the most exceptionally talented engineers that we have been able to bring the digital-pixel dream to a reality.”<\/p>\n