Status of LWIR HgCdTe infrared detector technology
Abstract
The performance requirements that today's advanced Long Wavelength Infrared (LWIR) focal plane arrays place on the HgCdTe photovoltaic detector array are summarized. The theoretical performance limits for intrinsic LWIR HgCdTe detectors are reviewed as functions of cutoff wavelength and operating temperature. The status of LWIR HgCdTe photovoltaic detectors is reviewed and compared to the focal plane array (FPA) requirements and to the theoretical limits. Emphasis is placed on recent data for two-layer HgCdTe PLE heterojunction photodiodes grown at Loral with cutoff wavelengths ranging between 10 and 19 microns at temperatures of 70 to 80 K. Development trends in LWIR HgCdTe detector technology are outlined, and conclusions are drawn about the ability for photovoltaic HgCdTe detector arrays to satisfy a wide variety of advanced FPA array applications.
- Publication:
-
Innovative Long Wavelength Infrared Detector Workshop Proceedings
- Pub Date:
- July 1990
- Bibcode:
- 1990ilwi.work...61R
- Keywords:
-
- Focal Plane Devices;
- Infrared Detectors;
- Infrared Radiation;
- Mercury Cadmium Tellurides;
- Photovoltaic Cells;
- Rangefinding;
- Solar Arrays;
- Heterojunctions;
- Operating Temperature;
- Photodiodes;
- Trends;
- Spacecraft Instrumentation