Space-based spectrometers rely on a critical component to decode light from distant stars, galaxies, and exoplanets: diffraction gratings. At Penn State’s Nanofabrication Lab, we use electron-beam lithography to craft these gratings with extreme precision, customizing them for NASA’s most ambitious missions. This technology unlocks new designs for astronomical spectrometers, enabling missions that were previously impractical. I will share how our work helps push the boundaries of what is possible in space science.
Fabien Grise
Astronomy & Astrophysics