Advanced Flash III-V LADAR Camera

This research will develop a 128x128 on 30 µm pixel pitch radiation hardened Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) system for spaced-based long range imaging. This advanced LADAR system will be integrated with an InGaAsP-based linear-mode Avalanche Photodiodes (APDs) optimized for 1.06 µm operation. Studies will be completed to optimize the APD structure for radiation hardness, achieving gains in excess of 250x, and maintaining a bandwidth greater than 5 GHz to permit inflight measurements at sub nanosecond time intervals. Dark currents at M=1 will be less than 5 pA/pixel at -40°C. The APD will be integrated with a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and camera electronics capable of less than 1 ns resolution time of flight measurements and up to 300 fps frame rates with low noise detection of less than 10 photons with a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of 1. This custom focal plane array (FPA) and camera system will operate at -40°C and feature small size (= 440 cm3), weight (= 1.8 kg), and power (= 10 W) without the laser and optics on a ground based system. The APD array, ROIC, and camera will be designed and built using radiation-hardened techniques and materials. Approved for Public Release | 18-MDA-9817 (23 Oct 18)