Imaging sensor for the Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS)

Accurate high resolution temperature sounding through our atmosphere is paramount to improving our weather forecasting, monitoring, and analysis capability. From the vantagepoint of earth Orbit, remote temperature sounding is becoming a reality and its accuracy is bolstered by recent advances in infrared hyper-spectral sensor capability. One promising approach takes advantage of a two-dimensional, imaging Fourier transform spectrometer to obtain a data cube with the field of view along one plane and multiple IR spectra (one for every FPA pixel) along the orthogonal axis. The spatial resolution is limited only by the pixel pitch in the imaging focal plane and the optics used to collect the data. The maximum optical path difference in the Michelson FTS defines the spectral resolution and dictates the number of path-length interferogram samples (FPA frames required per cube. This paper discusses the unique challenges placed on the focal plane by the Geosynchronous Imaging Fourier Transform Spectrometer (GIFTS) approach and how advanced focal plane technology is applied to satisfy these challenges. Two focal planes are required to provide spectral coverage from 4.4 to 6.1um and 8.85-14.6um. Currently, the GIFT’s LWIR focal plane is the longest wavelength two-dimensional PV HgCdTe array of this size (128 square on 60 um centers) planned for space deployment. The paper presents performance data of Liquid Phase Epitaxy (LPE) fabricated HgCdTe detectors and design details of the advanced readout integrated circuit necessary to meet the demanding requirements of the imaging sensor for the GIFTS instrument.