InAs/GaSb superlattices for advanced infrared focal plane arrays

• Published in: Infrared physics & technology Vol. 52; no. 6; pp. 344 - 347
• Main Authors: Rehm, Robert, Walther, Martin, Schmitz, Johannes, Rutz, Frank, Fleißner, Joachim, Scheibner, Ralf, Ziegler, Johann
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2009; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bolometer; infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave receivers and detectors; Carbon dioxide; Communication, education, history, and philosophy; Dual-color; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; InAs/GaSb superlattice; Infrared focal plane array; Infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave instruments, equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; MWIR; Optoelectronic devices; Physics; Physics literature and publications; Quantum efficiency; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Quantum efficiency; Infrared focal plane array; InAs/GaSb superlattice; MWIR; Carbon dioxide; 07.57.Kp; 85.60.Gz; 95.85.Hp; Dual-color; Infrared detectors; Focal plane arrays; Radiation detectors; Photodetectors; Photodiodes; Quantum yield; Superlattices; Infrared radiation; Quantum detector; Pixel
• ISSN: 1350-4495; 1879-0275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.infrared.2009.09.005

We report on the development of high performance focal plane arrays for the mid-wavelength infrared spectral range from 3–5 μm (MWIR) on the basis of InAs/GaSb superlattice photodiodes. An investigation on the minority electron diffusion length with a set of six sample ranging from 190 to 1000 superlattice periods confirms that InAs/GaSb superlattice focal plane arrays achieve very high external quantum efficiency. This enabled the fabrication of a range of monospectral MWIR imagers with high spatial and excellent thermal resolution at short integration times. Furthermore, novel dual-color imagers have been developed, which offer advanced functionality due to a simultaneous, pixel-registered detection of two separate spectral channels in the MWIR.