Radiometric performance characterization of the CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) High Operating Temperature-Barrier Infrared Detectors (HOT-BIRD)

摘要

The CubeSat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder (CIRAS) is a remote sensing instrument under development for the demonstration and technology maturation of hyperspectral infrared sounding in a 6U CubeSat. The CIRAS instrument utilizes a 2D Focal Plane Array (FPA) of High Operating Temperature-Barrier Infrared Detectors (HOT-BIRD). The HOT-BIRD material provides improved uniformity, higher allowable operating temperatures, and lower 1/f noise. The performance of the HOT-BIRD FPA was tested inside a Integrated Dewar and Cry-ocooler Assembly (IDCA). Testing involved using an external Blackbody Calibrator Target (BCT) to generate numerous images of the object at varying temperatures of the scene. The data acquired was compared to a radiometric model to characterize the responsivity of the detectors. In addition, a solid angle correction was developed to improve the accuracy of the modeling. Real and synthetic images are presented in the comparative analysis to validate the expected responsivity of the detectors through calculation of the quantum efficiency.