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HgCdTe Avalanche Photodiode Array Detectors with Single Photon Sensitivity and Integrated Detector Cooler Assemblies for Space Lidar ApplicationsA HgCdTe avalanche photodiode (APD) focal plane array assembly with linear mode photon-counting capability has been developed for space lidar applications. An integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) has been built using a miniature Stirling cooler. A microlens array has been included to improve the fill factor. The HgCdTe APD has a spectral response from 0.9- to 4.3-μm wavelengths, a photon detection efficiency as high as 70%, and a dark count rate of <250 kHz at 110 K. The mass of the IDCA is 0.8 kg and the total electrical power consumption is about 7 W. The HgCdTe APD arrays have been characterized at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. A series of environmental tests have been conducted for the IDCAs, including vibration, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum tests. A description of the device and the test results at NASA are given in this paper.

Document ID
20190033940
Acquisition Source
Goddard Space Flight Center
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Sun, Xiaoli
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Abshire, James B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Krainak, Michael A.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Lu, Wei
(Applied Technology Associates (ATA) Aerospace Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Beck, Jeff D.
(DRS Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Dallas, TX, United States)
III, William W. Sullivan
(DRS Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Dallas, TX, United States)
Mitra, Pradip
(DRS Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Dallas, TX, United States)
Rawlings, Dick M.
(DRS Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Dallas, TX, United States)
Fields, Renny A.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Hinkley, David A.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Hirasuna, Bradley S.
(Aerospace Corp. El Segundo, CA, United States)
Date Acquired
December 13, 2019
Publication Date
June 17, 2019
Publication Information
Publication: Optical Engineering
Publisher: SPIE
Volume: 58
Issue: 6
Subject Category
Space Sciences (General)
Report/Patent Number
GSFC-E-DAA-TN74136
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG11HP16A
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNG15CR64C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Use by or on behalf of the US Gov. Permitted.
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