SBIR-STTR Award

Through a partnership with the University of Kansas, ZenoLeap LLC proposes to exploit research and development of uncooled quantum infrared detectors for imaging based on our recent breakthroughs in demonstration of novel quantum dots/graphene nanohybrids photodetectors with uncooled detectivity D* up to ~1.0x1013 cm?Hz1/2/W in short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum. Nanohybrids have recently emerged as a unique scheme for quantum photodetectors with distinctive advantages over their conventional semiconductor counterparts on: 1) the strong quantum confinement in quantum dots, enabling superior light absorption, spectra tunability, and reduced dark current due to suppressed phonon scattering; 2) exciton dissociation and charge transfer at the quantum dots/graphene interface build-in field for efficient photo-carrier generation; and 3) high photoconductive gain and external quantum efficiency proportional to the ratio between the carrier lifetime enhanced by the quantum confinement and the extremely short charge transit time due to the high mobility of graphene. The proposed SBIR Phase 1 aims to prototype quantum devices for uncooled SWIR and MWIR detection of D* >1010 cm?Hz1/2/W and fast response times of sub-ms. The SBIR Phase 1 Option will focus on demonstration of small focal plane arrays with the readout circuits compatible for commercialization to be pursued in Phase II.

ZenoLeap LLC proposes to exploit its ongoing research and development of uncooled quantum infrared detectors, to enable the development of larger focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on this technology. This effort will build on ZenoLeap’s Phase I success in demonstrating high-speed quantum dots/graphene van der Waals heterostructures photodetectors with uncooled figure-of-merit detectivity D* up to 2.5 × 1012 Jones at short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrum, with a frame rate exceeding 200 Hz. Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots/graphene van der Waals heterostructures have recently emerged as a unique scheme for quantum photodetectors with distinctive advantages over their conventional semiconductor counterparts because of the enhanced light-matter interaction and spectral tunability of quantum dots (QDs), and the superior charge mobility in graphene, which together provide a promising alternative for uncooled infrared photodetectors with a gain or external quantum efficiency up to 1010. The proposed SBIR Phase II effort will optimize and refine the individual quantum IR detectors, and will then focus on developing these detectors into larger focal plane arrays. The ultimate goal of the Phase II effort will be the development of functional prototypes of next-generation uncooled FPAs, and to demonstrate functional integration of such arrays with a readout-circuit.