Mid-Infrared Detector Array Technologies for SOFIA and Sub-Orbital Observatory Instruments

The status of various photovoltaic, photoconductive, BIB/IBC, superlattice, TES and KID technologies to produce arrays sensitive from 15 to 50+μm (Mid-infrared) will be reviewed to assess where reasonable investments should be made for SOFIA and other sub-orbital observatory instruments. These include HgCdTe, Si:As IBC, Si:Sb BIB, Ge:Ga, type 2 superlattice arrays of both III-V and II-VI materials and both TES and KID arrays. KID technologies for this wavelength region show promise, although to date there are no published experimental data on KID arrays for the mid-infrared.