Carbon Nanotube IR Detectors and Arrays

The Army desires MWIR and LWIR imaging sensors for missile seekers with performance emphasis on low input power, small aperture, light weight and affordability, well beyond conventional semiconductor detectors. This Phase I proposal by PSI describes a comprehensive program to develop practical IR detection by uncooled carbon nanotube (CNT) structures that can meet the Army goals. Phase II work will do characterizations, design and fabricate 2D imaging arrays of CNT, and evaluate these with customers (military and civilian). The objectives of Phase I are to characterize individual CNT photodetectors, and evaluate synthesis and fabrication by commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) materials and protocols. Phase I will determine: type of response (photoconductive, voltaic), responsivity, spectral dependence, dark noise, and speed. Designs will exploit antenna effects of CNT. Tasks are to select a suitable form of CNT material to meet the goals, design individual test structures, secure synthesis and fabrication through vendors, and evaluate IR characteristics relative to conventional detectors. Modeling development of improvements in optical and electronic device behavior is proposed as an Option Task. Phase II will fabricate IR imaging arrays, demonstrate superior performance potential, and do the engineering for that technology.