Advanced Concepts for Low-Cost High-Speed Uncooled Infrared Detectors

Through a partnership with the University of Kansas, ZenoLeap LLC proposes to exploit research and development of uncooled quantum infrared detectors for imaging based on our recent breakthroughs in demonstration of novel quantum dots/graphene nanohybrids photodetectors with uncooled detectivity D* up to ~1.0x1013 cm?Hz1/2/W in short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum. Nanohybrids have recently emerged as a unique scheme for quantum photodetectors with distinctive advantages over their conventional semiconductor counterparts on: 1) the strong quantum confinement in quantum dots, enabling superior light absorption, spectra tunability, and reduced dark current due to suppressed phonon scattering; 2) exciton dissociation and charge transfer at the quantum dots/graphene interface build-in field for efficient photo-carrier generation; and 3) high photoconductive gain and external quantum efficiency proportional to the ratio between the carrier lifetime enhanced by the quantum confinement and the extremely short charge transit time due to the high mobility of graphene. The proposed SBIR Phase 1 aims to prototype quantum devices for uncooled SWIR and MWIR detection of D* >1010 cm?Hz1/2/W and fast response times of sub-ms. The SBIR Phase 1 Option will focus on demonstration of small focal plane arrays with the readout circuits compatible for commercialization to be pursued in Phase II.