Design of a 1k pixel Ge:Sb focal-plane array for far-IR astronomy

Jam Farhoomand; David L. Sisson; Jeffrey W. Beeman; Robert E. McMurray Jr.; Alan Hoffman; Brian Starr; Charles Rabkin; Joseph Sienicki; Elisabeth Corrales

doi:10.1117/12.789506

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18 July 2008 Design of a 1k pixel Ge:Sb focal-plane array for far-IR astronomy

Jam Farhoomand, David L. Sisson, Jeffrey W. Beeman, Robert E. McMurray Jr., Alan Hoffman, Brian Starr, Charles Rabkin, Joseph Sienicki, Elisabeth Corrales

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Proceedings Volume 7020, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV; 70200D (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789506
Event: SPIE Astronomical Telescopes + Instrumentation, 2008, Marseille, France

Abstract

Development of large format, far infrared focal-plane arrays has been identified as a pressing need for future astronomical instruments. In particular, array sizes as large as 128x128 with sensitivities equal to or better than 10^-18 W/√Hz are the goals to be achieved within the next fifteen years. As part of our continuing effort to further this technology, we are developing a 32x32 Ge:Sb photoconductor FPA with a CTIA cryogenic readout multiplexer. A new, layered-hybrid architecture is employed to block the readout glow, improve heat dissipation and temperature uniformity across the array, and alleviate the potential problems associated with the large CTE mismatch between the Ge detector and the Si readout. This is the first 1k-pixel photoconductor FPA of its kind and is meant to be a pathfinder for future large format FPAs. Based on the test results of a prototype 2x16 Ge:Sb array of similar design, we expect the sensitivity of this FPA to be as low as 10^-18 W/√Hz. This paper presents the design, characteristics, and the expected performance of this array.

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Jam Farhoomand, David L. Sisson, Jeffrey W. Beeman, Robert E. McMurray Jr., Alan Hoffman, Brian Starr, Charles Rabkin, Joseph Sienicki, and Elisabeth Corrales "Design of a 1k pixel Ge:Sb focal-plane array for far-IR astronomy", Proc. SPIE 7020, Millimeter and Submillimeter Detectors and Instrumentation for Astronomy IV, 70200D (18 July 2008); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.789506

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