High Speed Long Wavelength Infrared Detector Array/Preamplifier Development

120 High Speed Long Wavelength Infrared Detector Array/Preamplifier Development--Fermionics Corporation, 4555 Runway Street, Simi Valley, CA 93063-3479; (805) 582-0155 Dr. Peter C.C. Wang, Principal Investigator Dr. Peter C.C. Wang, Business Official DOE Grant No. DE-FG03-97ER82373 Amount: $75,000 High performance, long wavelength infrared detector/preamplifier modules with extremely low noise and high speed are needed in on-going and planned Department of Energy remote sensing programs related to the protection, control, accountability and diversion of nuclear weapons materials. Performance requirements for these kinds of modules are much more demanding than can be met by existing systems. In this project, mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) long wavelength infrared detectors will be produced based on currently available technology but with improvements specifically designed for high speed applications. In Phase I, MCT multilayer structures will be grown and formed into detectors which will be tested. A breadboard preamplifier will be built and its performance verified. An integrated test of a single channel detector/preamplifier assembly will be tested. A complete 9-channel unit will be evaluated in actual test environments in a CO2 laser system currently under development at the Los Alamos National Laboratory. In Phase II, an integrated detector system and low noise multiplexers will be designed, assembled and tested in active remote sensing systems. Commercial Applications and Other Benefits as described by the awardee: The research effort, if successful, could lead to an advanced product that would be useful to researchers in universities and laboratories, and application engineers in the industry in both active and passive sensing environments. In active sensing, it might be used for laser remote sensing, tracking, designating, heterodyne spectroscopy, etc. In passive sensing, it might be used in understanding fatigue of materials under impact and high speed metal forming, evaluating structural integrity and manufacturing high speed vehicles.