Low Background VLWIR SCA Characterization for the David Program

Abstract : The Development of Advanced Very Long Wavelength Infrared Detectors (DAVID) Program, managed by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), is designed to advance the development of focal plane arrays for applications in space based surveillance. In order to achieve the requirements for very long wavelengths and high sensitivities, extremely challenging demands are placed on the both the detector material and the readout integrated circuit (ROIC) technology. To produce exceptionally low detector leakage currents, for instance, detector developments with low doping and advanced molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) growth techniques have been evaluated. Also needed were ROICs with low noise performance as well as capability for accommodating a wide variation in detector characteristics including R0A, back bias, and 1/f noise. This paper will discuss and compare these focal plane requirements with the program results achieved to date. Current data, including the NEl, will demonstrate that focal planes with BLIP limited performance can be achieved even with backgrounds in the 10(exp 12) photons/cm/sec range.