ShortWave Infrared Focal Plane Technology for Close-Range Active Mineralogy Mapping (SWIFT-CAMM)

We propose to develop a Photon-Counting Integrated Circuit (PCIC) detector and focal plane array (FPA) with highest sensitivity, lowest noise and hence highest signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) among all FPAs covering the shortwave infrared band, for incorporation into a prototype imaging spectroscopy CAMM instrument for real-time operation on a planetary surface to guide rover targeting, sample selection (for missions involving sample return), and science optimization of data returned to earth, thus improving science return from instruments used to study the elemental, chemical, and mineralogical composition of planetary materials. During Phase I, we have successfully proven the concept of a limited-size array of PCIC detector pixels as well as the imaging spectrometer CAMM instrument. In Phase II, we will develop and prototype a PCIC focal plane array (FPA) as well as the imaging spectrometer CAMM instrument.