A Low-Cost, High-Performance Colloidal Quantum Dot MWIR Focal Plane Array

The primary goal of this proposed effort is to develop mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) colloidal quantum dot (CQD)-based focal plane arrays (FPAs) to significantly reduce the cost of MWIR photon imagers. The current lack of such low-cost systems leaves unmet many civil and military needs, such as the broad deployment of tactical photon-detecting imagers, non-destructive testing cameras, and next generation night vision goggles. Phase I of this project showed that MWIR CQD FPAs are feasible: we synthesized CQDs with a low cost process in ambient air and demonstrated good MWIR response, and fabricated planar, single element devices that show room temperature photoresponse. These results are the foundation of modified synthesis techniques to improve the detectivity of current MWIR CQD thin films by at least one order of magnitude as well as FPA design studies and FPA fabrication during the proposed Phase II effort. The proposing company will partner with Prof. Guyot-Sionnests group at the University of Chicago. This synergistic effort will combine the CQD chemical synthesis expertise of the Guyot-Sionnest group and the infrared device capabilities of the Sivananthan Laboratories team.