Development of a Process Technology for the Manufacture of Low-C-SWaP PbSe MWIR Focal Plane Arrays

This project addresses the Air Force’s demand for low-cost, size, weight, and power (C-SWaP) mid-wave infrared (MWIR) focal plane arrays (FPAs) through the development of PbSe-based detectors that operate at temperatures above 200 K, significantly reducing cooling requirements. By advancing PbSe as a material for uncooled MWIR applications, we aim to replace traditional, cryogenically-cooled HgCdTe and InSb detectors, offering a competitive and scalable solution for expendable and attritable military platforms.Leveraging Amethyst Research's proprietary UV hydrogenation technology, this project will enhance PbSe stability, sensitivity, and overall FPA performance. Our unique hydrogenation process is designed to passivate bulk and surface defects in PbSe, leading to improvements in carrier lifetimes, reduced dark current, and lowered 1/f noise. These advancements are expected to bring PbSe closer to meeting stringent MWIR performance metrics such as noise equivalent power (NEP) of less than 100 fW/Hz1/2 and dark current requirements, making it a viable alternative for defense and commercial applications requiring high sensitivity and efficiency.In Phase I, Amethyst will fabricate and characterize single-element PbSe photoconductors on CMOS-compatible substrates. The primary focus will be on demonstrating the impact of hydrogenation on key performance metrics, including NEP, dark current, and quantum efficiency. Electrical and optical characterization will validate hydrogenation’s efficacy in improving detector performance. Additionally, we will explore hydrogenation's effect on enhancing and stabilizing the Schottky barrier height of PbSe, laying the groundwork for high-performance Schottky photovoltaic detectors, which are critical for achieving reliable, high-sensitivity MWIR detection without extensive cooling.With successful Phase I outcomes, Phase II will focus on fabricating high-density PbSe FPAs using Attollo's ROIC technology to achieve scalable, cost-effective MWIR imaging arrays. These arrays will operate across diverse conditions with minimal cooling, supporting DoD's low-C-SWaP goals.The project aims to deliver robust, affordable MWIR FPAs that meet Air Force mission needs and enable new civilian applications such as environmental monitoring, industrial inspection, and thermal imaging. By advancing PbSe as a core MWIR material, this project will push the boundaries of uncooled MWIR technology, offering scalable imaging solutions for defense and emerging commercial uses.