Colloidal Quantum Dots for Cost Reduction in EO/IR Detectors for Infrared Imaging

While state-of-the-art microbolometers demonstrate impressive capabilities for low-cost uncooled longwave infrared (LWIR) imaging, there is currently a need for low-cost, midwave infrared (MWIR) imaging systems capable of high performance with fast frame rates at high operating temperatures.HgTe colloidal quantum dot (CQD) focal plane arrays (FPAs), developed by our team, are MWIR photon detectors that demonstrate high performance and fast response, have the potential for uncooled operation, and are monolithically integrated with readout integrated circuits.We propose to develop new fabrication techniques to overcome the current technological challenges prohibiting high photon detector performance at elevated operating temperatures, to develop a high resolution (1344 x 744) MWIR CQD FPA and integrate the FPA into a low-cost and high performance imaging system. The system will provide cost, size, weight and power advantages over all current MWIR technologies, providing solutions for numerous military applications.Our team is uniquely positioned to take on the challenges associated with the development of a compact and low-cost MWIR CQD-based imaging system, having been the first to demonstrate MWIR CQD FPAs and possessing a track record of developing innovative low-cost infrared camera systems.