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An Indium Gallium Arsenide Visible/SWIR Focal Plane Array for Low Light Level ImagingPIN photodiodes fabricated from indium gallium arsenide lattice-matched to indium phosphide substrates (In(.53)Ga(.47)As/InP) exhibit low reverse saturation current densities (JD < 10(exp -8) A/sq cm), and high shunt resistance-area products (RoA > 10(exp 6) omega-sq cm) at T=290K. Backside-illuminated, hybrid-integrated InGaAs FPAs are sensitive from 0.9 micrometers to 1.7 micrometers. 290K detectivities, D(*), greater than 10(exp 14) cm-(square root of Hz/W) are demonstrated. This represents the highest room temperature detectivity of any infrared material. The long wavelength cutoff (1.7 micrometers) makes In(.53)Ga(.47)As an idea match to the available airglow that has major peaks at 1.3 micrometers and 1.6 micrometers. The short wavelength 'cut-on' at 0.9 micrometers is due to absorption in the InP substrate. We will report on new InGaAs FPA epitaxial structures and processing techniques. These have resulted in improved performance in the form of a 10 x increase in detectivity and visible response via removal of the InP substrate. The resulting device features visible and SWIR response with greater than 15% quantum efficiency at 0.5 micrometers while maintaining the long wavelength cutoff. Imaging has been demonstrated under overcast starlight/urban glow conditions with cooling provided by a single stage thermoelectric cooler. Details on the material structure and device fabrication, quantitative characterization of spectral response and detectivity, as well as examples of night vision imagery are presented.
Document ID
20010072609
Acquisition Source
Marshall Space Flight Center
Document Type
Other
Authors
Cohen, Marshall J.
Ettenberg, Martin H.
Lange, Michael J.
Olsen, Gregory H.
Date Acquired
August 20, 2013
Publication Date
August 1, 1999
Subject Category
Solid-State Physics
Report/Patent Number
AD-A390252
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: DAAB07-97-C-J043
CONTRACT_GRANT: DAAB07-98-C-J010
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS13-99010
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-98082
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.
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