Reaching for the sensitivity limits of uncooled and minimally cooled thermal and photon infrared detectors

S. Horn; D. Lohrman; P. Norton; K. McCormack; A. Hutchinson

doi:10.1117/12.609467

31 May 2005 Reaching for the sensitivity limits of uncooled and minimally cooled thermal and photon infrared detectors (Invited Paper)

S. Horn, D. Lohrman, P. Norton, K. McCormack, A. Hutchinson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 5783, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXI; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.609467
Event: Defense and Security, 2005, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Great incentive exists for the development of infrared detectors that can operate without cooling near the limit of photon or thermal fluctuations. Great progress has been made in past 30 years developing uncooled thermal detectors that now provide enough sensitivity for many routine infrared imaging needs, albeit with relatively slow response times. Even now, however, the sensitivity of uncooled thermal detectors is 3-15× less sensitive than the ideal characteristics predict. In this paper we first examine the current status of uncooled thermal detectors to understand the limiting mechanisms which appear to be 1/f noise and system noise. Approaches for developing uncooled or minimally-cooled photon detectors are then reviewed. A modification of one current approach, bias extraction of minority carriers, is suggested involving photo-JFETs rather than photodiodes. It appears that the most promising prospect for uncooled or minimally-cooled photon detectors is in the MWIR spectral region.

Citation Download Citation

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 (Invited Paper)", Proc. SPIE 5783, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXI, (31 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.609467

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