Large Format APD Array for Eye-Safe 3-D LADAR Imaging

Solid State Scientific Corporation (SSSC) proposes a novel guard ring avalanche photodiode array sensitive at eye-safe wavelengths. The Air Force will benefit from this technology, as it will enable large format (>256x256 elements) single chip APD arraysthat are highly sensitive, low cost, and highly manufacturable for use in LADAR imaging systems. In Phase I, SSSC will fabricate an array of discrete APDs demonstrating highly uniform large area arrays using standard semiconductor manufacturing processes.In Phase II, SSSC will demonstrate a prototype large format APD array for 3-D imaging. Large format APD arrays and low cost discrete APDs sensitive at eye-safe wavelengths would be beneficial in the following applications: free-space opticalcommunications, fiber optic communications, range finding, non-destructive evaluation, 3-D imaging, low light level imaging, remote sensing, astronomy, photon detection, and spectral monitoring and analysis.