Develop High Operating Temperature Infrared Detectors and Systems

The objective of the SBIR Phase II program will be to further develop and fabricate nBn type hand held MWIR cameras that demonstrate power consumption ~1W through utilization of high operating temperature nBn detectors, low-power micro-coolers, and low power imaging electronics. In Phase I nBn Technologies successfully demonstrated the abilities of the HOT nBn type FPA"s. We further proved that a low power camera using nBn detector is feasible. Phase II nBn type HOT MWIR cameras will have the similar imaging performance to InSb and HgCdTe hand held cameras, but because of their high operating temperature(HOT) (180K) capabilities, the overall power consumption will be reduced from ~10W to less then 1W. HOT nBn camera systems will also demonstrate lower cost of ownership and lifetimes exceeding 400% of current InSb camera systems. The primary end user of the nBn camera is anticipated to be infantry and reconnaissance personnel. The decreased power requirements of the nBn camera will aid the warfighter by reducing the amount of batteries needed to successfully complete night missions. This will increase soldier mobility, mission duration, and of course the probability of mission success.