Albion: the UK 3rd generation high-performance thermal imaging programme
2007
The first generation of high performance thermal imaging sensors in the UK was based on two axis opto-mechanical
scanning systems and small (4-16 element) arrays of the SPRITE detector, developed during the 1970s. Almost two
decades later, a 2nd Generation system, STAIRS C was introduced, based on single axis scanning and a long linear
array of approximately 3000 elements. The UK has now begun the industrialisation of 3 rd Generation High Performance
Thermal Imaging under a programme known as "Albion". Three new high performance cadmium mercury telluride
arrays are being manufactured. The CMT material is grown by MOVPE on low cost substrates and bump bonded to the
silicon read out circuit (ROIC). To maintain low production costs, all three detectors are designed to fit with existing
standard Integrated Detector Cooling Assemblies (IDCAs). The two largest focal planes are conventional devices
operating in the MWIR and LWIR spectral bands. A smaller format LWIR device is also described which has a smart
ROIC, enabling much longer stare times than are feasible with conventional pixel circuits, thus achieving very high
sensitivity. A new reference surface technology for thermal imaging sensors is described, based on Negative
Luminescence (NL), which offers several advantages over conventional peltier references, improving the quality of the
Non-Uniformity Correction (NUC) algorithms.
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