SCD's cooled and uncooled photo detectors for NIR SWIR

Abstract

Short wavelength Infra Red (SWIR) imaging has gained considerable interest in recent years. The main applications among others are: active imaging and LADAR, enhanced vision systems, low light level imaging and security surveillance systems. In this paper we will describe SCD's considerable efforts in this spectral region, addressing several platforms: 1. Extension of the mature InSb MWIR product line operating at 80K (cut-off wavelength of 5.4&mu;m). 2. Extension of our new XB_n<i>n</i> InAsSb "bariode" technology operating at 150K (cut-off of 4.1&mu;m). 3. Development of InGaAs detectors for room temperature operation (cut-off of 1.7&mu;m) 4. Development of a SNIR ROIC with a low noise imaging mode and unique laser-pulse detection modes. In the first section we will present our latest achievements for the cooled detectors where the SWIR region is combined with MWIR response. Preliminary results for the NIR-VIS region are presented where advanced substrate removal techniques are implemented on flip-chip hybridized focal plane arrays. In the second part we will demonstrate our VGA, 15&mu;m pitch, InGaAs arrays with dark current density below 1.5nA/cm² at 280K. The InGaAs array is hybridized to the SNIR ROIC, thus offering the capability of low SWaP systems with laser-pulse detection modes.