SBIR-STTR Award

The goal of this program is to develop high speed, high spatial resolution, and simultaneous integration, HgCdTe LongWave InfraRed (LWIR) Focal Plane Arrays (FPA) suitable for use in imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS) applications. In this project, 320x256 HgCdTe array hybrids with a frame rate over 400 per second will be developed and delivered to the Air Force. HgCdTe epilayers grown on ZnCdTe substrates using a Liquid Phase Epitaxy technique are the sensing semiconductors. The array junction formation technique will be the recently developed, the most advanced Planar Ion-Implantation-Isolated Heterojunction process. Santa Barbara Focalplane (SBF), a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, will be the subcontractor to design the readout multiplexers. In Phase I, we will build and deliver an LWIR HgCdTe array using an existing readout chip to demonstrate our array fabrication capability. In addition, SBF will perform the analysis and preliminary design of the new readout circuit for this particular FTS application. In Phase II, the complete readout circuit will be designed and manufactured. LWIR HgCdTe arrays will be fabricated and hybridized to the readout multiplexers. A camera, incorporated with one of the hybrid arrays, will be built and delivered to the Air Force.

Benefits:
Remote sensing of chemical and particulate matter in the atmosphere is currently performed utilizing non-imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy. This project aims at developing imaging spectroscopy systems for applications include detection of signature characteristics of military targets, chemical and biological warfare agent detection, pollution monitoring, and detection of plant nutrient stress in precision agriculture.

Keywords:
Infrared, HgCdTe, LWIR, Imaging, Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, Focal Plane Array, Infrared Camera

The goal of this program is to develop high speed, high spatial resolution, and simultaneous integration, HgCdTe LongWave InfraRed (LWIR) Focal Plane Arrays (FPA) suitable for use in imaging Fourier Transform Spectroscopy (FTS) applications. In this project, Fermionics will produce 320x256 HgCdTe LWIR array hybrids for the Air Force. The readout rates of the multiplexers will be 400 frames per second or greater. Windowing feature will also been incorporated. In Phase I, we already demonstrated the feasibility of producing LWIR HgCdTe arrays by producing a 12.8mm (77K) HgCdTe arrays. This array has been operated at 77K for imaging. We believe this is the first 77K operated array with such a long wavelength. During the Phase I period, we have also used the developed technology to produce 128x128, LWIR arrays for commercialization. In addition, Valley Oak Semiconductor has provided us with a preliminary ReadOut IC (ROIC) design meeting Air Force's design goal. In Phase II, a LWIR HgCdTe FTS camera will be manufactured and delivered to the Eglin Air Force Air Armament Center (AFMC). HgCdTe epilayer grown on ZnCdTe substrates using a Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) technique will be the sensing semiconductor. The array junction formation technique will be the recently developed, the most advanced Planar Ion-Implantation-Isolated Heterojunction (PI3H) process. The wavelength of the arrays will be 12mm at 77K. Valley Oak Semiconductor will be the subcontractor to design the readout multiplexers. Lumitron will be the subcontractor to design and fabricate electronic boards for operating the LWIR arrays.