Low-noise, High-Gain, and High Bandwidth APD for Multifunctional LADAR (LAMDA) Receiver

The Air Force has a requirement for a high responsivity small pitch multifunctional LADAR receiver for ground, air, and space-based LADAR systems where high-resolution 3D imaging is needed for enhanced situational awareness or navigation. A high gain (>1000), high bandwidth (BW), and low noise (having k-value 300 GHz for multifunction LADAR receiver. The APDs will be hybridized with read-out and will be demonstrated 3D LADAR receiver functionality. The innovative LADAR receiver will be based upon a high gain (> 1000) @ >300 GHz gain-bandwidth (BW) product, low excess noise (k 80%) between 1000-2400 nm, deployed in a 32x32-element array of pixel pitch <20 µm sensitive area. In Phase I, a series of detector structures will be grown and calibrated for the target sensitivity window. In Phase II, the proposed APD LADAR receiver array will be fabricated and hybridized to a low-noise readout integrated circuit enabling testing of the higher sensitivity and higher bandwidth device. At the end of Phase II, the APD based LADAR