High-performance 256 x 256 InSb FPA for astronomy

摘要

Abstract: Staring arrays have the potential to be the most sensitive sensors in target detection and imaging. However, limitations on the size of infrared staring arrays have resulted in a much reduced field of view or spatial resolution compared with scanning systems. This paper describes a high-performance, large-format staring array that narrows this resolution gap. A 256 $MUL 256 element indium antimonide (InSb) array has been developed for low- background commercial applications. The high sensitivity of the array makes it useful for space surveillance as well as astronomy. The array responds over a broad range of wavelengths, 1 $mu@m to 5 $mu@m, with 90% peak detector quantum efficiency and nearly 100% fill factor. The detector elements are on a 30-$mu@m pitch in both dimensions and contact the silicon multiplexer (MUX) via indium bumps. The multiplexer is a PMOS switched field effect transistor (FET) MUX with detector elements sequentially selected by X and Y shift registers. The input referred read noise has been measured to be 50 electrons when operating at a 4-Hz frame rate. This corresponds to a noise equivalent irradiance (NEI) of 4 $MUL 10$+7$/ ph cm$+$MIN@2$/s$+$MIN@1$/. The paper provides further details of the signal and noise performance of 256 $MUL 256 arrays and the spatial uniformity of these parameters.!