Multi-color VLWIR Focal Plane Array

Infrared focal plane arrays that are capable of simultaneously detecting more than one wavelength are critical for improved clutter rejection, target identification, and range. Future infrared systems applications would greatly benefit from multi-colorsensors by replacing the current DoD technology that uses separate focal plane arrays with different cutoff wavelengths. We propose to design and develop a multi-color infrared detector array technology based on HgTe/CdTe superlattices grown by molecularbeam technology. Such superlattices offer the flexibility to produce detectors with various combinations of wavelength sensitivity, for example MWIR-LWIR, LWIR-VLWIR or VLWIR1-VLWIR2. The proposed technology overcomes the compositional uniformity problemsand excessive dark currents of detectors that employ VLWIR mercury cadmium telluride alloy material. If this project proves to be successful, it will enable the commercialization of multi-color FPAs based on heterostructure HgTe/CdTe superlattices forvarious space-based earth and atmospheric condition imaging, environmental monitoring and natural resource assessment and management applications.