640 × 512 pixel narrow-band, four-band, and broad-band quantum well infrared photodetector focal plane arrays

A 9 μm cutoff 640 × 512 pixel hand-held quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) camera has been demonstrated with excellent imagery. A noise equivalent differential temperature (NEDT) of 10.6 mK is expected at a 65 K operating temperature with f/2 optics at a 300 K background. This focal plane array has shown background limited performance at a 72 K operating temperature with the same optics and background conditions. In this paper, we discuss the development of this very sensitive long-wavelength infrared camera based on a GaAs/AlGaAs QWIP focal plane array and its performance in quantum efficiency, NEDT, uniformity, and operability. In the second section of this paper, we discuss the first demonstration of a monolithic spatially separated four-band 640 × 512 pixel QWIP focal plane array and its performance. The four spectral bands cover 4–5.5, 8.5–10, 10–12, and 13.5–15 μm spectral regions with 640 × 128 pixels in each band. In the last section, we discuss the array performance of a 640 × 512 pixel broad-band (10–16 μm full-width at half-maximum) QWIP focal plane.     

Four-component superlattice empirical pseudopotential method for InAs/GaSb superlattices

For the design of InAs/GaSb superlattice (SL) heterojunction infrared photodetectors with very low dark current we have extended the standard two-component superlattice empirical pseudopotential method (SEPM) and implemented a four-component model including interface layers. For both models, the calculated bandgap values for a set of SL samples are compared to bandgaps determined by photoluminescence measurements. While the bandgap resulting from the two-component model agrees well with experimental data for SL structures with individual layer thicknesses of 7 monolayers and more, we show that for SLs with thinner GaSb layers the four-component SEPM model is accurate, when the As-content in the interface and barrier layers is included in the model.     

Quantitative study of the temperature dependence of normal LWIR apparent emissivity

In a previous work, a method of measurement of apparent emissivity in situ was implemented. This approach has the decisive advantage of being suitable for any commercial infrared systems. It was tested successfully to characterize the normal LWIR apparent emissivity of an aluminium nitride plate in the temperature range [40–550 °C]. Apparent emissivity exhibits a tight temperature dependence. By using the classical model of apparent emissivity and taking into account the spectral emissivity of aluminium nitride ceramic and the spectral response of the IR sensor, we modelled our apparent emissivity measurement with 5% of accuracy and with dispersion better than 1% within the overall temperature range. The effect on the apparent emissivity of both the detection window and the temperature dependence of the spectral emissivity are highlighted.     

Low pitch LWIR QWIPs: Performance level and image quality

We present recent results obtained on 15 μm pitch LWIR QWIP arrays at Sofradir. Based on experimental data gathered on several QWIP wafers, the performance (NETD) at the system level has been estimated. We show that, in spite of the small pitch, values as low as 50 mK can be achieved for rather closed optical systems (f/2.5) and for operating temperatures (74 K) compatible with available compact cryo-coolers.We also demonstrate that specific pixel configurations can be designed to investigate the pixel-to-pixel optical crosstalk. Such measurements can help to better understand the limitations set by the geometry of the pixel on the Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). In particular, we show that the optical crosstalk due to photon transfer through the inter-pixel space is rather small for unthinned devices.     

A self-method for resolving the problem of apparent LWIR emissivity for quantitative thermography up to 130 °C

In a previous work, we succeeded in connecting normal LWIR apparent emissivity to the spectral one of an aluminum nitride ceramic plate. The key problem was the knowledge of the effective spectral bandwidth in use in the system. Hence we have developed an analyzer which permits to identify the spectral bandwidth of IR system using only its raw data. It proceeds by minimizing the dispersion from linearity of the characteristic thermosignals/integrated radiance over a temperature range of the IR system. The capacities of the analyzer are tested for five commercial cameras. Each of these systems exhibits a similar formatting process implemented during the thermogram recording. The effective spectral bandwidth shows plausible values. It varies significantly from one model to the other and the residual non-linearity is connected to the NETD of the IR system. The robustness of the apparent emissivity measurements is also tested with the aid of emissivity reference of 0.5. The overall accuracy of the method is less than 1%, depending on the specular or diffuse part of the reflected irradiation. Applied in field situation, the method is suitable to detect absolute variation of emissivity of less than 6 ⋅ 10⁻³. We use the analyzer to determine the spectral bandwidth of a commercial 320 × 240 microbolometer uncooled IRFPA camera which had already served to characterize the normal LWIR apparent emissivity of the aluminum nitride ceramic plate. By using the spectral response of the two major microbolometer sensor technologies, the general formulation of apparent emissivity matches our apparent emissivity measurements. An agreement better than 0.6% in absolute value and a less than 6 ⋅ 10⁻³%/°C dispersion are found over the entire temperature range [40–130 °C].     

地面长波红外高光谱成像气体探测研究

报道了地面长波红外遥测的新进展 ,具体阐述了窗扫时空调制傅里叶光谱成像技术的实现过程.演示装置基于角锥反射镜M ichelson干涉具 ,构成了空间调制干涉 ;采用了制冷型长波红外焦平面探测器组件 ,通过对数据立方体的采集、重组、基线校正、切趾、相位校正和傅里叶变换等处理 ,实现了长波红外波段高光谱成像.自研的CHIPED-1长波红外高光谱成像原理实验装置的探测灵敏度指标噪声等效辐射通量密度NESR在单次采样时达到了5.6 × 10-8 W · (cm-1 · sr · cm2 )-1 ,与商品化时间调制干涉高光谱成像仪相当 ;反映了技术的先进性 ,并留有较大的改进空间.通过测试聚丙烯薄膜的透过率曲线 ,CHIPED-1红外高光谱成像原理实验装置的光谱响应范围达到了11. 5 μm.文章还以室外高楼和乙醚气体的探测实验为例 ,研究了二维分布化学气体VOC的高光谱成像探测方法.在复杂背景和低试验浓度情况下 ,从同一波数的红外光谱切片上 ,观察不出乙醚蒸气的存在 ,但是进行了差谱处理后 ,可以清楚看到乙醚蒸气的空间分布.高光谱方法应用在有机蒸气VOC的红外探测领域 ,相对于宽波段热成像方法 ,具有灵敏度高、抗干扰能力强和识别种类多等诸多优势.     

大视场大相对孔径长波红外物镜

介绍适用于非致冷焦平面阵列(FPA)探测器的大视场大相对孔径长波红外物镜设计与研制.由三块非球面锗透镜组成,采用"负-正-正"像方远心光路,全视场角和相对孔径分别达135°和F/0.8.镜头的成像性能接近于衍射受限,具有体积小、重量轻、像面辐照度均匀等优点.给出非球面锗透镜的研制、测试结果和用此光学系统得到的室内目标热辐射成像图片.     

折/衍混合LWIR凝视成像系统的杂散光分析

本文对一折/衍混合长波红外(LWIR)凝视成像系统进行了杂散光分析,在此LWIR系统中,含有一个用金刚石车削技术制作的衍射光学元件(DOE)。本文中,对DOE的不同衍射级次、光学表面的多次反射、镜筒内壁的反射等主要杂散光源利用LightTools软件进行了分析,对6种二次反射的模拟结果表明,对归一化的光源,理想光路的像面辐照度为100 W/mm2,每种二次反射会给像面带来0.01W/mm2的辐照度;对于反射率为10％的镜筒内壁,带来的像面辐照为0.01W/mm2。并利用该LWIR凝视成像光学系统进行了相关实验,实验结果证明了上述分析的正确性,有利于对LWIR凝视成像系统光学性能的进一步理解和杂散光的抑制。     

Uncooled microbolometer detector: recent developments at ULIS

Uncooled infrared focal plane arrays are being developed for a wide range of thermal imaging applications. Fire-fighting, predictive maintenance, process control and thermography are a few of the industrial applications which could take benefit from uncooled infrared detector. Therefore, to answer these markets, a 35-μm pixel-pitch uncooled IR detector technology has been developed enabling high performance 160×120 and 384×288 arrays production. Besides a wide-band version from uncooled 320×240/45 μm array has been also developed in order to address process control and more precisely industrial furnaces control. The ULIS amorphous silicon technology is well adapted to manufacture low cost detector in mass production. After some brief microbolometer technological background, we present the characterization of 35 μm pixel-pitch detector as well as the wide-band 320×240 infrared focal plane arrays with a pixel pitch of 45 μm. The paper presented there appears in Infrared Photoelectronics, edited by Antoni Rogalski, Eustace L. Dereniak, Fiodor F. Sizov, Proc. SPIE Vol. 5957, 59570M (2005).     

宽视场长波红外光学系统设计

介绍了宽视场长波红外(LWIR)光学系统技术指标。离轴三反射镜消像散(TMA)型光学系统光谱覆盖范围宽,可提供一个空间分辨率高、观测范围大的无遮挡视场,能够在F数相对较小的光学系统中实现接近衍射极限的光学性能。TMA型光学系统能满足推扫式LWIR扫描仪所要求光学系统大观测视场、高光学效率等指标,可作为预先研究星载遥感仪的光学结构。