LWIR high performance focal plane arrays Based on type-II strained layer superlattice (SLS) materials

Abstract

Type-II strained layer superlattices (SLS) are a rapidly maturing technology for infrared imaging applications, with performance approaching that of HgCdTe1,2,3,4. Teledyne Imaging Sensors (TIS), in partnership with the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), has recently demonstrated state-of-the-art, LWIR, SLS 256 × 256 focal plane arrays (FPAs) with cutoff wavelengths ranging from 9.4 to 11.5 μm. The dark current performance of these arrays is within a factor of 10-20 of (state-of-the-art) HgCdTe. Dark current characteristics of unpassivated and passivated devices exhibit bulk-limited behavior, essential for FPA applications. TIS has also demonstrated rapid substrate thinning processes for increased infrared transmission through the GaSb substrate. In addition to this work, this presentation will discuss the recent developments of 1K x 1K LWIR SLS FPAs.