Low-Noise Detector Arrays for Raman Spectroscopy

We propose to demonstrate near infrared (NIR) InGaAs sensor arrays with 55% lower noise than arrays presently available to improve the sensitivity of current spectroscopy systems. The low noise performance will be enabled by the use of low-noise source follower per detector ROICs, which are also used in astronomy with HgCdTe for low noise measurements. With design improvements to current available ROICs, the new InGaAs sensor array is expected to achieve less than 20 electrons of read noise and quantum efficiency of greater than 80% at 77K. Such a sensor would directly lead to higher sensitivity than presently available at low light levels, thereby improving spectroscopic systems ability to detect signals that were previously masked. The end product will be a 12 x 1064 pixel 2D InGaAs array on a 20 um pitch with less than 20 electrons/pixel/frame at liquid nitrogen temperatures (~77K) and a 60 Hz frame rate, delivered in a cryogenic dewar. COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: The low noise InGaAs arrays to be developed under this program will be directly applicable to markets in Raman spectroscopy and astronomy. Within Raman spectroscopy, important markets include pharmaceuticals, forensic science, and polymers, among others.