ROOM TEMPERATURE INFRARED FOCAL PLANE ARRAY IMAGING RADIOMETER

Currently, room temperature infrared cameras are produced on thermister and pyrielectric based FPAs. Theoretically, semiconductor based FPAs should offer the best performance. In this program, we propose to investigate the feasibility of using photovoltaic HgCdTe for producing room temperature infrared cameras. In addition to the conventional method to operate the HgCdTe detectors, an innovative method to operate the FPAs will be investigated. Our advantage in submitting this proposal is that in the last year, we achieved a major breakthrough in producing ion implanted HgCdTe detector arrays. The arrays produced by the new technique show extremely high performance, uniformity and reliabilty. In the Phase I program, HgCdTe arrays in 5 different wavelengths will be produced and characterized. The array size will be 256x256. At the end of the Phase I program, optimal arrays will be selected for fabricating IRFPAs in the Phase II program. Subsequently, the FPA will be incorporated into an infrared camera to produce a room temperature IRFPA camera.