VLWIR SLS Digital FPA for Hyperspectral Imaging

QmagiQ and MIT-LL will partner to develop a high-performance very longwave infrared digital focal plane array (VLWIR DFPA) suitable for hyperspectral imaging applications. The DFPA will be based on Type-II antimony-based strained layer superlattice (SLS) photodiodes with > 13 micron cutoff, hybridized to a digital readout integrated circuit (DROIC). In Phase I, we investigated the performance of a set of SLS FPAs with the cutoff wavelength systematically shifted from ~ 10 microns to ~ 16 microns. In Phase II, we will build on this effort to maximize quantum efficiency at the longest wavelengths and exploit the DROIC's unique ability to handle large dark current while delivering great signal-to-noise. The resulting sensor will be particularly useful in an infrared hyperspectral imaging system for the stand-off detection of homemade explosives.