French SWIR technology used for astronomy

During the last 30 years, the Space Research Department (DESPA) of Paris Observatory has developed infrared instrumentation for space and ground-based telescopes. First, we present the PbS linear detector of the ISM IR imaging spectrometer of the Phobos mission. Then the CID InSb focal plane of ISOCAM-SW is described. The studies of this CID InSb focal plane allowed us to develop an IR camera for the first astronomical observations using adaptive optics. We also describe the linear array built for the OMEGA imaging spectrometer of the Mars 96 mission. The last chapter is dedicated to the IR spectrometer of the Huygens probe. To conclude, the needs and challenges in the area of mid-band infrared astronomy are discussed.