Applications of T2SL Barrier Infrared Detectors in Observational Instruments

In this presentation, we will report our recent efforts in achieving high performance in Antimonides type-II superlattice (T2SL) based infrared photodetectors using the barrier infrared detector (BIRD) architecture. The high operating temperature (HOT) BIRD focal plane arrays (FPAs) offer the same high performance, uniformity, operability, manufacturability, and affordability advantages as InSb. However, mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) HOT-BIRD FPAs can operate at significantly higher temperatures (>150K) than InSb FPAs (typically 80K). Moreover, while InSb has a fixed cutoff wavelength (similar to 5.4 mu m), the HOT-BIRD offers a continuous adjustable cutoff wavelength, ranging from similar to 4 mu m to >15 mu m, and is therefore also suitable for long wavelength infrared (LWIR) as well. The LWIR detectors based on the BIRD architecture has also demonstrated significant operating temperature advantages over those based on traditional p-n junction designs. HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) and c-FIRST (compact Fire Infrared Radiance Spectral Tracker) based on JPL's T2SL BIRD FPAs. Based on III-V compound semiconductors, the BIRD FPAs offer a breakthrough solution for the realization of low cost (high yield), high-performance FPAs with excellent uniformity and pixel-to-pixel operability.