INAS Detectors for Infrared Astronomy

We propose InAs as a superior alternative to mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) for NASA#39;s astronomy applications in the visible to extended shortwave infrared spectral band (0.7 - 2.5 microns). A key performance parameter, the dark current density, can be achieved by cooling the InAs 20K more than MCT with 2.3 micron cutoff. In return, the InAs will extend spectral coverage to 3.0 microns and offer higher yield, lower cost, and greater availability due to the leveraging of mature group III-V growth/process equipment. In Phase I, we will grow and evaluate InAs detector material. In Phase II, we will develop InAs focal plane arrays and a camera and deliver it to NASA for evaluation for astronomy.nbsp;