Infrared Detector Arrays for Astronomy

Abstract

Use of infrared detector arrays in astronomy began roughly 20 years ago, and our detection capabilities in parts of this spectral range have doubled about every seven months since then. A variety of approaches are now used for detector arrays operating from 1 μm to 1 mm and beyond. They include direct hybrid arrays of InSb and HgCdTe photodiodes that operate from 0.6 μm to 5 μm, and of Si:As impurity band conduction detectors from 5 μm to 28 μm; a number of approaches to photoconductive detector arrays in the far-infrared; and bolometer arrays read out by transistors or superconducting devices in the far-infrared through millimeter-wave spectral range. The underlying principles behind these approaches are discussed. The application of these principles is illustrated through detailed discussion of a number of state-of-the-art detector arrays.