Assessment of HgCdTe and GaAs/GaAlAs technologies for LWIR infrared imagers

Roger E. DeWames; Jose M. Arias; Lester J. Kozlowski; G. M. Williams

doi:10.1117/12.142561

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10 December 1992 Assessment of HgCdTe and GaAs/GaAlAs technologies for LWIR infrared imagers

Roger E. DeWames, Jose M. Arias, Lester J. Kozlowski, G. M. Williams

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Proceedings Volume 1735, Infrared Detectors: State of the Art; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.142561
Event: San Diego '92, 1992, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

Imagery of long wavelength infrared HgCdTe and GaAs quantum well staring arrays in size 128 X 128 has been demonstrated. In this paper, we compare detector array performance characteristics, discuss the natural and technological limitations of both technologies and identify the improvements likely to be made in the near future. At this stage of feasibility demonstration in the spectral band 8 - 10 micrometers , the effective quantum efficiency in GaAs FPAs is 4% compared to 60% for HgCdTe and the responsivity is 0.08 A/W compared to 4.5 A/W. This value of 0.08 A/W is significantly below the value 2 A/W reported for single quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) detectors. The peak detectivities and NE(Delta) T at 78 K are (5 X 10⁹ cm (root)Hz/W, 0.037 K) and (2 X 10¹¹, 0.005 K) for QWIP and HgCdTe, respectively. The residual nonuniformities after two-point correction are < 0.01% for QWIP arrays and 0.012% for HgCdTe. Crosstalk is currently unsatisfactory in QWIP detector arrays, but design concepts can be used to reduce this effect. For terrestrial imaging, GaAs quantum well detector arrays most likely will need to operate at temperatures below 80 K from fundamental considerations; HgCdTe detector arrays are background limited at operating temperatures <EQ 90 K. Since cooling can drive cost and reliability, and since significant progress has been made in producing high quality HgCdTe detector arrays with good yield, it is unlikely that HgCdTe will be displaced by this technology for terrestrial applications. For low background space applications at (phi) _b <EQ 10¹² ph/cm²-sec, QWIP detectors at 40 K are background limited. This observation plus their radiation hard characteristics suggest a possible niche in strategic applications.

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Roger E. DeWames, Jose M. Arias, Lester J. Kozlowski, and G. M. Williams "Assessment of HgCdTe and GaAs/GaAlAs technologies for LWIR infrared imagers", Proc. SPIE 1735, Infrared Detectors: State of the Art, (10 December 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.142561

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