Evaluation of InGaAs camera for scientific near infrared imaging applications

摘要

Performance data from a new InGaAs focal plane array (FPA) camera is presented. The camera was developed specifically for low-light scientific NIR imaging and spectroscopy applications that often require long integration times and lower dark noise. While commercial InGaAs FPA cameras offer no or minimal cooling to reduce troublesome dark current, the cameras meant for scientific applications offer -100 deg C or deeper cooling. The performance comparison between uncooled and cooled states is presented. Other operating specifications such as read noise, read out rate and linearity are optimized through careful design of electronics. The improved performance of cooled InGaAs cameras allows detection of low light fluorescence from single walled nanotubes. The availability of such low noise InGaAs cameras is enabling researchers to perform quantitative NIR imaging and spectroscopy measurements in novel applications ranging from semiconductor failure analysis to singlet oxygen detection.