Novel Focal Plane Array Photodetector Technology for use in Eye Safe Imaging LADAR Receivers

Imaging LADAR systems are critical to autonomous guided munitions. The objective of this program is to demonstrate a solid-state, eye-safe, 3-D staring imaging LADAR receiver. This state-of-the-art focal plan array LADAR receiver will combine a 1.55micron photodetector and an internal gain photodetector with a 3-D imaging readout circuit using an innovative manufacturing process. The resulting LADAR receiver will be capable of highly accurate intensity and range resolution. In Phase I, the novelmanufacturing process was demonstrated on a 256x320 imaging readout circuit with a pixel pitch of 30 microns and on a 10x10 LADAR readout circuit. In addition, an InGaAs photodetector with a quantum efficiency of 45% was demonstrated. The low-cost,high-yield process results in a compact, more efficient LADAR receiver. In Phase II, a high performance 32x32 LADAR receiver will be assembled capable of less than one-foot range resolution.