A Long-Wave Infrared Focal Plane Array with Ultra-high Sensitivity and Large Field-of-View

The SBIR Phase II proposal aims to develop a prototype of an ultra-sensitive long-wave infrared (LWIR) focal plane array (FPA) based on the Phase I feasibility investigation. LWIR FPA is of great importance in space object detection and tracking. Issues of existing HgCdTe (MCT) and InSb FPAs include: difficulties in material growth, non-uniformity, and cost. Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) typically have limited field-of-view (FOV) due to the polarization selection rule. We have proposed a novel LWIR FPA structure for ultra-high sensitivity and large FOV. In the Phase I research, we have demonstrated the feasibility of achieving the ultra-sensitive FPAs through numerical simulation, material growth, device fabrication and characterization. Motivated by the phase I feasibility investigation, in this SBIR Phase II program, we propose to develop a prototype of an 512x512 LWIR FPA and test the prototype on Air Force preferred platform. Market analysis, documentation and initial commercialization of the proposed innovation will also be performed in the Phase II program.