Novel Infrared (IR) Emissive Devices

Power Photonics proposes the development of a high performance two dimensional mid-IR LED array suitable for infrared scene projection applications. The array, based on our Phase I research on the same topic, will emit with wavelengths longer than 3 ìm, and will be able to produce flicker-free apparent temperatures above 3000K while operating at room temperature. Higher performance can be had be cooling the device below ambient. The LEDs will employ a type-I GaSb based quantum well design for good thermal stability. We will evaluate the negative photoluminescence characteristics of the LEDs, which may enable simulation of temperatures below the actual operating temperature of the array. The proposed array employs a cascaded structure to keep the maximum element current compatible with the expected performance of Nova Sensor’s proposed drive electronics. The cascaded design will allow for the introduction of several different quantum well designs with overlapping spontaneous emission spectra for a broadened spectral range. Modulation response times will be on the order of nanoseconds, far faster than any forseen IRSP frame rates. Several strategies for enhancing the light extraction efficiency will be evaluated. Deliverables will include an unmounted array of 512x512 elements, of approximately 1 square inch area.