Longwave Infrared Focal Plane Array for Imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy

The goal of this program is to develop high speed, high spatial resolution, and simultaneous integration, HgCdTe LongWave InfraRed (LWIR) Focal Plane Arrays (FPA) suitable for use in imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS) applications. In thisproject, 320x256 HgCdTe array hybrids with a frame rate over 400 per second will be developed and delivered to the Air Force.HgCdTe epilayers grown on ZnCdTe substrates using a Liquid Phase Epitaxy technique are the sensing semiconductors. The array junction formation technique will be the recently developed, the most advanced Planar Ion-Implantation-Isolated Heterojunctionprocess. Santa Barbara Focalplane (SBF), a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, will be the subcontractor to design the readout multiplexers.In Phase I, we will build and deliver an LWIR HgCdTe array using an existing readout chip to demonstrate our array fabrication capability. In addition, SBF will perform the analysis and preliminary design of the new readout circuit for this particular FTSapplication. In Phase II, the complete readout circuit will be designed and manufactured. LWIR HgCdTe arrays will be fabricated and hybridized to the readout multiplexers. A camera, incorporated with one of the hybrid arrays, will be built and deliveredto the Air Force. Remote sensing of chemical and particulate matter in the atmosphere is currently performed utilizing non-imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. This project aims at developing imaging spectroscopy systems for applications include detection of signaturecharacteristics of military targets, chemical and biological warfare agent detection, pollution monitoring, and detection of plant nutrient stress in precision agriculture.