Commercialization of quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane arrays

Abstract

Many commercial and government applications need high performance, large format, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) detector arrays in the range of 6–20 μm. NASA and the ballistic missile defense organization (BMDO) have devoted a significant effort to develop highly sensitive infrared (IR) detectors and large format focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on novel ‘artificial’ low effective bandgap semiconductor material systems such as GaAs/AlGaAs. Caltech’s Jet propulsion laboratory (JPL) under contract from NASA and BMDO has extensively pursued GaAs/AlGaAs based multi-quantum wells (MQWs) for IR radiation detection. Optimization of the detector design, light coupling schemes, large format FPA fabrication and packaging techniques have culminated in the realization of portable LWIR cameras with a mid format (256×256 pixel) FPA of QWIP detectors and the demonstration of TV format (i.e., 640×486) QWIP camera. QWIP technologies LLC, under an exclusive agreement with Caltech is currently manufacturing the QWIP-Chip TM, a 320×256 element FPA. In this, presentation, we will discuss the advantages of MQW technology and our experience in the commercialization of QWIP FPAs.