Mr. Kai Uwe Gassmann Profile

Kai Uwe Gassmann

at AIM INFRAROT-MODULE GmbH

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Publications (4)

Proceedings Article | 14 October 2015 Paper

Low dark current MCT-based focal plane detector arrays for the LWIR and VLWIR developed at AIM

Kai Uwe Gassmann, Detlef Eich, Wolfgang Fick, Heinrich Figgemeier, Stefan Hanna, Richard Thöt

Proceedings Volume 9639, 96390P (2015) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2194776

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Quantum efficiency, Long wavelength infrared, Staring arrays, Infrared sensors, Temperature metrology, Manufacturing, Diffusion, Doping, Detector arrays

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For nearly 40 years AIM develops, manufactures and delivers photo-voltaic and photo-conductive infrared sensors and associated cryogenic coolers which are mainly used for military applications like pilotage, weapon sights, UAVs or vehicle platforms. In 2005 AIM started to provide the competences also for space applications like IR detector units for the SLSTR instrument on board of the Sentinel 3 satellite, the hyperspectral SWIR Imager for EnMAP or pushbroom detectors for high resolution Earth observation satellites. Meanwhile AIM delivered more than 25 Flight Models for several customers. The first European pulse-tube cooler ever operating on-board of a satellite is made by AIM. AIM homes the required infrared core capabilities such as design and manufacturing of focal plane assemblies, detector housing technologies, development and manufacturing of cryocoolers and also data processing for thermal IR cameras under one roof which enables high flexibility to react to customer needs and assures economical solutions. Cryogenically cooled Hg_(1-x)Cd_xTe (MCT) quantum detectors are unequalled for applications requiring high imaging as well as high radiometric performance in the infrared spectral range. Compared with other technologies, they provide several advantages, such as the highest quantum efficiency, lower power dissipation compared to photoconductive devices and fast response times, hence outperforming micro-bolometer arrays. However, achieving an excellent MCT detector performance at long (LWIR) and very long (VLWIR) infrared wavelengths is challenging due to the exponential increase in the thermally generated photodiode dark current with increasing cut-off wavelength and / or operating temperature. Dark current is a critical design driver, especially for LWIR / VLWIR multi-spectral imagers with moderate signal levels or hyper-spectral Fourier spectrometers operating deep into the VLWIR spectral region. Consequently, low dark current (LDC) technologies are the prerequisite for future scientific space and earth observation missions. Aiming, for example at exoplanet or earth atmospheric spectral analysis, significant improvement in LWIR / VLWIR detector material performance is mandatory. LDC material optimization can target different directions of impact: (i) reduction of dark current for a given operational temperature to increase SNR and reduce thermally induced signal offset variations. (ii) operation at elevated temperatures at a given dark current level to reduce mass and power budget of the required cryocooler and to reduce cryostat complexity. (iii) increase the accessible cut-off wavelength at constant detector temperature and dark current level. This paper presents AIM’s latest results on n-on-p as well as p-on-n low dark current planar MCT photodiode focal plane detector arrays at cut-off wavelengths >11 μm at 80 K. Dark current densities below Tennant’s ‘Rule07^’1 have been demonstrated for n-on-p and p-on-n devices. This work has been carried out under ESA contract ESTEC 4000107414/13/NL/SFe².

Proceedings Article | 19 November 2012 Paper

Infrared focal plane detector modules for space applications at AIM

Dominique Hübner, Stefan Hanna, Richard Thöt, Kai-Uwe Gassmann, Markus Haiml, Andreas Weber, Luis-Dieter Haas, Johann Ziegler, Hans-Peter Nothaft, Wolfgang Fick

Proceedings Volume 8542, 854207 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.975309

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Infrared radiation, Short wave infrared radiation, Readout integrated circuits, Mid-IR, Infrared detectors, Infrared sensors, Infrared imaging, Detector arrays, Staring arrays

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Proceedings Article | 19 November 2012 Paper

Infrared focal plane detector modules for space applications at AIM

Dominique Hübner, Stefan Hanna, Richard Thöt, Kai-Uwe Gassmann, Markus Haiml, Andreas Weber, Luis-Dieter Haas, Johann Ziegler, Hans-Peter Nothaft, W. Fick

Proceedings Volume 8533, 853311 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2009042

KEYWORDS: Sensors, Infrared radiation, Short wave infrared radiation, Readout integrated circuits, Mid-IR, Infrared detectors, Infrared sensors, Infrared imaging, Staring arrays, Detector arrays

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Proceedings Article | 9 October 2008 Paper

Next generation IR sensor technology for space applications at AIM

K.-M. Mahlein, A. Bauer, H. Bitterlich, M. Bruder, K.-U. Gassmann, M. Haiml, S. Hanna, H.-P. Nothaft, R. Wollrab, J. Ziegler

Proceedings Volume 7106, 71061J (2008) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.800307

KEYWORDS: Diodes, Sensors, Short wave infrared radiation, Diffusion, Avalanche photodetectors, Temperature metrology, Mercury cadmium telluride, Infrared sensors, Gold, Doping

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