Third-generation sensors for night vision

• Autorzy: Norton P.
• Konferencja: Infrared Photodetectors (IPH) ; (30-31.08.2005, Warsaw, Poland)
• Języki publikacji: EN

Abstrakty

EN

Third generation sensors are under development to enhance capabilities for target detection and identification, threat warning, and 3D imaging. Distinct programs for both cooled HgCdTe and uncooled microbolometer devices are part of this thrust. This paper will describe the technology for HgCdTe two-colour, high-definition imaging sensors and threat warning devices, avalanche photodiode arrays for 3D imaging, and the supporting technology being developed to enhance the readouts that support these devices. Uncooled detector initiatives will also be described to reduce pixel size in conjunction with the production of 480x640 arrays. Finally, efforts are also beginning to move both photon and thermal detectors closer to radiative-limited performance while simultaneously reducing the cooling requirements for photon detectors.

Słowa kluczowe

EN

detectors; optical sensors; HgCdTe; microbolometers; uncooled detectors; two-colour detectors; threat warning; avalanche photodiodes; APDs

• Wydawca: Stowarzyszenie Elektryków Polskich ; Polska Akademia Nauk ; Wojskowa Akademia Techniczna im. Jarosława Dąbrowskiego
• Czasopismo: Opto-Electronics Review
• Rocznik: 2006
• Tom: Vol. 14, No. 1
• Strony: 1--10
• Opis fizyczny: Bibliogr. 26 poz., il., wykr.

Twórcy

autor

Norton P.

• IR Vision, 2922 Paseo del Refugio, Santa Barbara, CA93105, USA,

Bibliografia

• 1. L.M. Biberman and R.L. Sendall, "Introduction: A brief history of imaging devices for night vision", in Electro-Optical Imaging: System Performance and Modelling, edited by L.M. Biberman, SPIE Press, Bellingham, 2000.
• 2. Among the early experiments to evaluate the possibility of imaging in the infrared, measurements were carried out at Syracuse University by Professors William R. Frederickson and Nathan Ginsburg, with Roy Paulson and Don Stierwalt as the research associates, and students John Stannard, E. Ellis, E. Hall, and M. MacDonald. The PbTe detector used for the measurements was fabricated by Professor Henry Levinstein. The contracts were sponsored by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AF 33(616)-5034), monitored by Neil Beardsley, and by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center (AF 19(604)–3908). The single-element PbTe detector was line-scanned at intervals throughout the day and night. Results showed that the scene retained contrast at all times.
• 3. P. Norton, J. Campbell III, S. Horn, and D. Reago, "Thirdgeneration infrared imagers", Proc. SPIE 4130, 226-236 (2000).
• 4. S. Horn, P. Norton, T. Cincotta, A.J. Stoltz, Jr., J.D. Benson, P. Perconti, and J. Campbell III, "Challenges for third-generation cooled imagers", Proc. SPIE 5074, 44-51 (2003).
• 5. J.R. Waterman, M.R. Kruer, J.M. Schuler, D.A. Scribner, and P.R. Warren, "Multicolour focal plane technology for Navy applications", presented orally at Infrared Technology and Applications XXVIII, Seattle, WA, July 2002.
• 6. It should be noted that the third-generation imager will operate as an on-the-move wide area step-scanner with automated ATR versus second-generation systems that rely on manual target searching. This allows the overall narrower field of view for the third-generation imager.
• 7. W.A. Radford, E.A. Patten, D.F. King, G.K. Pierce, J. Vodicka, P. Goetz, G. Venzor, E.P. Smith, R. Graham, S.M. Johnson, J. Roth, B. Nosho, and J. Jensen, "Third generation FPA development status at Raytheon Vision Systems", Proc. SPIE 5783, 325-330 (2005).
• 8. P.D. Dreiske, "Development of two-colour focal-plane arrays based on HDVIP", Proc. SPIE 5783, 325-330 (2005).
• 9. M.D. Jack, J.F. Asbrock, C. Anderson, S.L. Bailey, G. Chapman, E. Gordon, P.E. Herning, M.A. Kalisher, K. Kosai, V. Liquori, V. Randall, J.P. Rosbeck, S. Sen, P. Wetzel, M.J. Halmos, A. Patrick, A.T. Hunter, J.E. Jensen, T.J. de Lyon, W. Johnson, B. Walker, W. Trussel, A. Hutchinson, and R.S. Balcerak, "Advances in linear and area HgCdTe APD arrays for eyesafe LADAR sensors", Proc. SPIE 4454, 198-211 (2001).
• 10. J.D. Beck, C.F. Wan, M.A. Kinch, and J.E. Robinson, "MWIR HgCdTe avalanche photo-diodes", Proc. SPIE 4454, 188-197 (2001).
• 11. I. Baker, S. Duncan, and J. Copley, "A low-noise, lasergated imaging system for long-range target identification", Proc. SPIE 5406, 133-144 (2004).
• 12. I.M. Baker and C.D. Maxey, "Summary of HgCdTe 2D array technology in the UK", J. Electron. Mater. 30, 682 (2003).
• 13. M.A. Kinch, "HDVIP FPA technology at DRS", Proc. SPIE 4369, 566 (2001).
• 14. R.S. Hall, N.T. Gordon, J. Giess, J.E. Hails, A. Graham, D.C. Herbert, DJ. Hall, P. Southern, J.W. Cairns, D.J. Lees, and T. Ashley, "Photomultiplication with low excess noise factor in MWIR to optical fiber compatible wavelengths in cooled HgCdTe mesa diodes", Proc. SPIE 5783, 412-423 (2005).
• 15. S. Horn, P. Norton, K. Carson, R. Eden, and R. Clement, "Vertically-integrated sensor arrays - VISA", Proc. SPIE 5406, 332-340 (2004).
• 16. R. Balcerak and S. Horn, "Progress in the development of vertically-integrated sensor arrays", Proc. SPIE 5783, 384-391 (2005).
• 17. Cross-section of the SEM was made by RTI who was teamed with DRS on this task. The photo was provided courtesy of Jim Robinson of DRS.
• 18. D. Murphy, M. Ray, A. Kennedy, J. Wyles, C. Hewitt, R. Wyles, E. Gordon, T. Sessler, S. Baur, D. Van Lue, S. Anderson, R. Chin, H. Gonzalez, C. Le Pere, S. Ton, and T. Kostrzewa, "Expanded applications for high performance VOx microbolometer FPAs", Proc. SPIE 5783, 448-459 (2005).
• 19. C.J. Han, R. Rawlings, M. Sweeney, S. Whicker, D. Peysha, J.E. Clarke, B. Sullivan, C. Li, and P. Howard, "320x240 and 640x480 UFPAs for TWS and DVE applications", Proc. SPIE 5783, 459-465 (2005).
• 20. P.W. Norton and M. Kohin, "Technology and application advancements of uncooled imagers", Proc. SPIE 5783, 424-430 (2005).
• 21. J.J. Yon, A. Astier, S. Bisotto, G. Chamingis, A. Durand, J.L. Martin, E. Mottin, J.L. Ouvrier-Buffet, and J.L. Tissot, "First demonstration of 25-µm pitch uncooled amorphous silicon microbolometer IRFPA at LETI-LIR", Proc. SPIE 5783, 432-441 (2005).
• 22. M. Ueno, Y. Kosasayama, T. Sugino, Y. Nakaki, Y. Fujii, H. Inoue, K. Kama, T. Seto, M. Takeda, M. Kimata, "640x480 pixel uncooled infrared FPA with SOI diode detectors", Proc. SPIE 5783, 566-577, (2005).
• 23. F.P. Pantuso, "The path to affordable and available 640x480 uncooled FPAs", Proc. SPIE 5783, 439-443 (2005).
• 24. BAE System data provided by Peter Norton, private communication.
• 25. Figure of merit also adjusted for pixel size in this case -A²/ 25²
• 26. S. Horn, D. Lohrman, P. Norton, K. McCormack, and A. Hutchinson, "Reaching for the sensitivity limits of uncooled and minimally cooled thermal and photon infrared detectors", Proc. SPIE 5783, 401-411 (2005).