Readout-Integrated Circuit (ROIC)

Corrugated Quantum Well Infrared Photo-Detector (C-QWIP) Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs) are being extended to higher resolutions with some compromise to detector performance. These FPAs have many LWIR camera applications at the ARMY, including the Objective Pilotage for Utility and Lift (OPUL) program, unmanned air vehicles (UAV), command and control (C2), and helicopters (K-MAX). The technology also has space instrument applications for the Europa mission. A ROIC is required to address the C-QWIP limitations. These limitations include: high dark current as a result of the low resistance-area product at zero bias (RoA) product, short circuit protection for pixel shorts, and the ability of the ROIC to handle 5-10V detector bias to increase detector quantum efficiency (QE) without damage to the ROIC for pixel shorts. These features will allow the C-QWIP arrays to be operated at higher temperatures, with higher QE. In Phase I, requirements for the ROIC will be defined. The ROIC unit cell circuit performance will be simulated, and the floor plan of the ROIC will be established.