Kevin O’Neill

Chief Executive Officer - PixQuanta

This month, Webb presents a spectacular treat… for the eyes. The barred spiral galaxy M83 is revealed in detail by the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope. M83, which is also known as NGC 5236, was observed by Webb as part of a series of observations collectively titled Feedback in Emerging extrAgalactic Star clusTers, or FEAST. Another target of the FEAST observations, M51, was the subject of a previous Webb Picture of the Month. As with all six galaxies that comprise the FEAST sample, M83 and M51 were observed with both NIRCam and MIRI, two of the four instruments that are mounted on Webb. MIRI, or the Mid-InfraRed Instrument, makes observations in the mid-infrared, which spans wavelengths of light very different from optical wavelengths. Optical wavelengths in astronomy roughly correspond to the range of light waves that human eyes are sensitive to, and extend from about 0.38 to 0.75 micrometres (a micrometre, or micron, is one thousandth of a millimetre). By contrast, MIRI detects light from 5 to 28 micrometres — however, when it makes observations, it does not typically observe across this entire wavelength range all at once. Instead, MIRI has a set of ten filters that allow very specific regions of light through. For example, one of MIRI’s filters (dubbed F770W), allows light with wavelengths of 6.581 to 8.687 micrometres to pass through it. This image was compiled using data collected through just two of MIRI’s ten filters, near the short end of the instrument’s wavelength range. The result is this extraordinarily detailed image, with its creeping tendrils of gas, dust and stars. In this image, the bright blue shows the distribution of stars across the central part of the galaxy. The bright yellow regions that weave through the spiral arms indicate concentrations of active stellar nurseries, where new stars are forming. The orange-red areas indicate the distribution of a type of carbon-based compound known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (

PixQuanta is an optical sensor company that designs sensor for the 2D and 3D imaging markets. By 2D we mean traditional images like the ones the camera in your phone takes, however our technology can be used at infra-red wavelengths as well as in the optical range. By 3D imaging we mean the kind of 3D-cloud images that show objects in the proximity of the camera – such imaging is now beginning to become more and more commonplace in consumer and automotive applications.

Our approach is special because we have designed our sensors from the ground-up to be mass-manufacturable – we use the same manufacturing processes that the silicon semiconductor industry uses to make billions of chips every year. Because the space industry is becoming more and more reliant on low-cost parts, our sensors are of great interest to the space industry for low-cost satellites in imaging and navigation applications.

Furthermore, space organisations, such as the European Space Agency, understand that the space market alone is not large enough to sustain technology providers like PixQuanta. This is why PixQuanta’s technology development is supported by ESA to feed into both space and non-space markets. This helps ensure continuity of supply to the space sector.

A typical day for Kevin:

Every day is different: on one day I might be simulating the optical characteristics of PixQuanta’s devices, on another I might be in a discussion with a customer about a project, on another I might be presenting PixQuanta’s technology to a non-technical audience.

Top tip from Kevin for those interested in a similar career:

I heard someone in my PhD programme say once that if you want to win a Nobel Prize you should go and surround yourself with Nobel Prize winners. I think same is true for anything: if you want to start a company, go and surround yourself with successful entrepreneurs. If you want to become a concert pianist, surround yourself with top piano players. Whatever it is that you are into, there will be others who are good at it and who aren’t bashful about sharing. The main personal characteristics that will see you through will be tenacity and discipline. If you are particularly inspired by someone, go and ask them if you can work for them.

Kevin O’Neill

A typical day for Kevin:

Top tip from Kevin for those interested in a similar career:

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