Development of sensitive long-wave infrared detector arrays for passively cooled space missions

摘要

The near-earth object camera (NEOCam) is a proposed infrared space missiondesigned to discover and characterize most of the potentially hazardousasteroids larger than 140 m in diameter that orbit near the Earth. NASA hasfunded technology development for NEOCam, including the development of longwavelength infrared detector arrays that will have excellent zodiacalbackground emission-limited performance at passively cooled focal planetemperatures. Teledyne Imaging Sensors has developed and delivered for test atthe University of Rochester the first set of approximately 10 micron cutoff,1024 x 1024 pixel HgCdTe detector arrays. Measurements of these arrays show thedevelopment to be extremely promising: noise, dark current, quantum efficiency,and well depth goals have been met by this technology at focal planetemperatures of 35 to 40 K, readily attainable with passive cooling. The nextset of arrays to be developed will address changes suggested by the first setof deliverables.