100-KHz Hyper-spectral FPAs for Transient Events

We propose to develop three ultra-fast focal plane arrays (FPAs) with 100 K frames per second and dynamically tunable over the 0.20-1.20 micron spectral range to obtain spatial as well as spectral images of a transient fireball evolved from an interceptor kill. These images are then used for assessing the nature of the kill. Each FPA consists of 256x256 fast PIN photodiodes each integrated with a micro interferometer tunable to pass wavebands at a microsecond speed to provide fast hyper-spectral images. The first FPA covers the 0.20 - 0.40 micron range; the second the 0.40 - 0.80 micron range, and the third 0.80 - 1.20 micron range. By partitioning the FPA into 8 segments, each containing A/D converters and interface circuits, massively-parallel readout at a data rate of 64 Gbps is achieved to sustain a FPA frame rate in excess of 100 KHz. The FPAs are fabricated entirely of silicon (Si) for robustness, reliability and producibility using commercial foundries for production at low cost. Depending on the kill assessment procedure, the post-FPA parallel processing can store up to 10 thousand frames for analysis. Phase I will analyze, model and design the FPA structures and layouts for 100 KHz speed, delineate the processes for fabrication and fabricate a simple structure to demonstrate its fabricability. Phase II will fabricate the FPAs based on the model established in Phase I and test it with supporting optics and electronics for 100 KHz frame rate. Phase III will prototype and test the 100 KHz FPAs.