Extended Near Infrared (eNIR) Focal Plane Array (FPA) for Out-of-Band Imaging Applications

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project seeks to develop an extended near infrared (eNIR) focal Plane array (FPA) having spectral response ranging from 0.9 µm to 2.3 µm and beyond. The proposed detector based image sensor will extend imaging capability beyond standard near infrared (NIR) and shortwave infrared (SWIR – 0.9 – 1.7 µm) with high performance operation at room temperature operation without the need for cryogenic cooling nor high power and therefore enable new out-of-band capabilities for SWaP warfighter applications. The proposed eNIR detector will be capable of low dark current and high quantum efficiency over the absorption spectrum. In Phase I, we will perform modeling and simulations of a novel detector structure to optimize the structural parameters, and also model and simulate additional structures that will be incorporated into the eNIR detector to enhance its performance. In Phase II, the proposed eNIR detector structure will be fabricated as a single element and as arrays and evaluated for optical performance and low noise performance. We anticipate achieving a high performance detector capable over the military temperature range and cost effective for economic mass production for dual defense and commercial imaging systems applications.