Recent developments for high-performance staring IR imaging modules at AIM

The family of two dimensional detection modules at AEG Infrared-Modules GmbH (AIM) based on platinum silicide (PtSi) or mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) focal plane arrays for applications in either the 3..5 micrometer (MWIR) or 8..10 micrometer (LWIR) range was recently extended. Two new MCT devices have been realized in the configurations 384 X 288 elements in a 24 micrometer pitch for mid wave applications and 256 X 256 elements in a 40 micrometer pitch for long wave applications. Also a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) device with 256 X 256 elements for long wave applications was introduced. The MCT devices provide extremely fast frame rates like 2200 Hz with snapshot integration times below 350 microseconds and noise equivalent temperature differences (NETD's) less than 20 mK for the LWIR modules while the QWIP device provides a NETD about 10 mK for a rolling frame integration with 20 ms integration time and 50 Hz frame rate. Besides the thermal resolution given by the NETD also a measurement of the correctability of the devices is introduced which is an important characteristic for the system design. The main features of these modules are summarized together with measured performance data of the new MCT devices. The performance data of the QWIP detection module is discussed in reference 1.