When incorporated into the active layer of a "XBp" detector structure, Type II InAs/GaSb superlattices (T2SLs) offer a high quantum efficiency (QE) and a low diffusion limited dark current, close to MCT Rule 07. Using a simulation tool that was developed to predict the QE as a function of the T2SL period dimensions and active layer stack thickness, we have designed and fabricated a new focal plane array (FPA) T2SL XBp detector. The detector goes by the name of "Pelican-D LW", and has a format of 640 ×512 pixels with a pitch of 15 μm. The FPA has a QE of 50% (one pass), a cut-off of ~9.5 μm, and operates at 77K with a high operability, background limited performance and good stability. It uses a new digital read-out integrated circuit, and the integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) closely follows the configuration of SCD’s Pelican-D MWIR detector.
Advanced electro-optical systems are designed towards a more compact, low power, and low cost solution with respect to traditional systems. Integration of several components or functionalities, such as infrared imager, laser designator, laser range finder (LRF), into one multi-function detector serves this trend. SNIR Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) incorporates this high level of signal processing and with relatively low power consumption. In this paper we present measurement results from a Focal Plane Array (FPA) where the SNIR ROIC is Flip-Chip bonded to a 15µm pitch VGA InGaAs detector array. The FPA is integrated into a metallic vacuum sealed package. We present InGaAs arrays with dark current density below 1.5 nA/cm2 at 280K (typically 1fA), Quantum Efficiency higher than 80% at 1550 nm and operability better than 99.5%. The metallic package is integrated with a low power proximity electronics which delivers Camera Link output. The overall power dissipation is less than 1W, not including Thermal-Electric Cooling (TEC), which is required in some applications. The various active and passive operation modes of this detector will be reviewed. Specifically, we concentrate on the "high gain" mode with low readout noise for Low Light Level imaging application. Another promising feature is the Asynchronous Laser Pulse Detection (ALPD) with remarkably low detection thresholds.
Modern electro-optical systems contain several components such as thermal imager, laser designator, laser range finder,
etc. The demand for compact systems with low power consumption and low cost can be addressed by incorporating
some of the traditional system abilities into the IR detector. We present SNIR, a new type of detector, which consists of a
Read Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) with advanced on-chip signal processing. The ROIC is flip chip-bonded to a
640x512 InSb detector array of 15μm pitch. SNIR digital ROIC can be operated in either one of the following four
different modes of operation. The first operation mode is standard thermal imaging, which has typical functionalities and
performance of MWIR detector. The second operation mode is a dual-function mode that includes both standard thermal
imaging and information on Asynchronous Laser Pulse Detection (ALPD) for each pixel. The detection probability of a
laser pulse is significantly increased by integrating a dedicated in-pixel circuit for identifying a fast signal temporal
profile. Since each pixel has internal processing to identify laser pulses, it is possible also to measure the elapsed time
between a trigger and the detection of a laser pulse. This yields a third mode of operation in which the detector is
synchronized to a laser and becomes a Two-dimensional Laser Range Finder (TLRF). The forth operation mode is
dedicated to Low Noise Imaging (LNIM) for the SWIR band, where the IR radiation signal is low. It can be used in both
passive or active imaging. We review some of the predicted and measured results for the different modes of operation,
both at the detector level and at the system level.
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