Third-generation sensors for night vision

Opto-Electronics Review

Volumn 14, Issue 1, 2006, Pages 1-10

  Norton, P ^a  

^a IR Vision   (United States)

Author keywords

APDs; Avalanche photodiodes; Detectors; HgCdTe; Microbolometers; Optical sensors; Threat warning; Two colour detectors; Uncooled detectors

Indexed keywords

AVALANCHE PHOTODIODES; BOLOMETERS; DETECTORS; II-VI SEMICONDUCTORS; IMAGING SYSTEMS; MERCURY AMALGAMS; OPTICAL SENSORS; PHOTONS; SEMICONDUCTOR ALLOYS; TEMPERATURE SENSORS;

APDS; HGCDTE; MICRO-BOLOMETERS; THREAT WARNING; UNCOOLED DETECTORS;

CADMIUM ALLOYS;

EID: 33645752498     PISSN: 12303402     EISSN: 18963757     Source Type: Journal    
DOI: 10.2478/s11772-006-0001-5     Document Type: Conference Paper

References (26)

1. L.M. Biberman and R.L. Sendall, "Introduction: A brief history of imaging devices for night vision", in Electro-Optical Imaging: System Performance and Modelling, edited by L.M. Biberman, SPIE Press, Bellingham, 2000.
2. Among the early experiments to evaluate the possibility of imaging in the infrared, measurements were carried out at Syracuse University by Professors William R. Frederickson and Nathan Ginsburg, with Roy Paulson and Don Stierwalt as the research associates, and students John Stannard, E. Ellis, E. Hall, and M. MacDonald. The PbTe detector used for the measurements was fabricated by Professor Henry Levinstein. The contracts were sponsored by the Wright Patterson Air Force Base (AF 33(616)-5034), monitored by Neil Beardsley, and by the Air Force Cambridge Research Center (AF 19(604)-3908). The single-element PbTe detector was line-scanned at intervals throughout the day and night. Results showed that the scene retained contrast at all times.
3. P. Norton, J. Campbell III, S. Horn, and D. Reago, "Third-generation infrared imagers", Proc. SPIE 4130, 226-236 (2000).
4. S. Horn, P. Norton, T. Cincotta, A.J. Stoltz, Jr., J.D. Benson, P. Perconti, and J. Campbell III, "Challenges for third-generation cooled imagers", Proc. SPIE 5074, 44-51 (2003).
5. J.R. Waterman, M.R. Kruer, J.M. Schuler, D.A. Scribner, and PR. Warren, "Multicolour focal plane technology for Navy applications", presented orally at Infrared Technology and Applications XXVIII, Seattle, WA, July 2002.
6. It should be noted that the third-generation imager will operate as an on-the-move wide area step-scanner with automated ATR versus second-generation systems that rely on manual target searching. This allows the overall narrower field of view for the third-generation imager.
7. W.A. Radford, E.A. Patten, D.F. King, G.K. Pierce, J. Vodicka, P. Goetz, G. Venzor, E.P. Smith, R. Graham, S.M. Johnson, J. Roth, B. Nosho, and J. Jensen, "Third generation FPA development status at Raytheon Vision Systems", Proc. SPIE 5783, 325-330 (2005).
8. P.D. Dreiske, "Development of two-colour focal-plane arrays based on HDVIP", Proc. SPIE 5783, 325-330 (2005).
9. M.D. Jack, J.F. Asbrock, C. Anderson, S.L. Bailey, G. Chapman, E. Gordon, P.E. Heming, M.A. Kalisher, K. Kosai, V. Liquori, V. Randall, J.P. Rosbeck, S. Sen, P. Wetzel, M.J. Halmos, A. Patrick, A.T. Hunter, J.E. Jensen, T.J. de Lyon, W Johnson, B. Walker, W Trussel, A. Hutchinson, and R.S. Balcerak, "Advances in linear and area HgCdTe APD arrays for eyesafe LADAR sensors", Proc. SPIE 4454, 198-211 (2001).
10. J.D. Beck, C.F. Wan, M.A. Kinch, and J.E. Robinson, "MWIR HgCdTe avalanche photo-diodes", Proc. SPIE 4454, 188-197 (2001).
11. I. Baker, S. Duncan, and J. Copley, "A low-noise, laser-gated imaging system for long-range target identification", Proc. SPIE 5406, 133-144 (2004).
12. I.M. Baker and CD. Maxey, "Summary of HgCdTe 2D array technology in the UK", J. Electron. Mater. 30, 682 (2003).
13. M.A. Kinch, "HDVIP FPA technology at DRS", Proc. SPIE 4369, 566 (2001).
14. R.S. Hall, N.T. Gordon, J. Giess, J.E. Hails, A. Graham, D.C. Herbert, DJ. Hall, P. Southern, J.W. Cairns, DJ. Lees, and T. Ashley, "Photomultiplication with low excess noise factor in MWIR to optical fiber compatible wavelengths in cooled HgCdTe mesa diodes", Proc. SPIE 5783, 412-423 (2005).
15. S. Horn, P. Norton, K. Carson, R. Eden, and R. Clement, "Vertically-integrated sensor arrays - VISA", Proc. SPIE 5406, 332-340 (2004).
16. R. Balcerak and S. Horn, "Progress in the development of vertically-integrated sensor arrays", Proc. SPIE 5783, 384-391 (2005).
17. Cross-section of the SEM was made by RTI who was teamed with DRS on this task. The photo was provided courtesy of Jim Robinson of DRS.
18. x microbolometer FPAs", Proc. SPIE 5783, 448-459 (2005).
19. C.J. Han, R. Rawlings, M. Sweeney, S. Whicker, D. Peysha, J.E. Clarke, B. Sullivan, C. Li, and P. Howard, "320×240 and 640×480 UFPAs for TWS and DVE applications", Proc. SPIE 5783, 459-465 (2005).
20. P.W. Norton and M. Kohin, "Technology and application advancements of uncooled imagers", Proc. SPIE 5783, 424-430 (2005).
21. J.J. Yon, A. Astier, S. Bisotto, G. Chamingis, A. Durand, J.L. Martin, E. Mottin, J.L. Ouvrier-Buffet, and J.L. Tissot, "First demonstration of 25-μm pitch uncooled amorphous silicon microbolometer IRFPA at LETI-LIR", Proc. SPIE 5783, 432-441 (2005).
22. M. Ueno, Y. Kosasayama, T. Sugino, Y. Nakaki, Y. Fujii, H. Inoue, K. Kama, T. Seto, M. Takeda, M. Kimata, "640×480 pixel uncooled infrared FPA with SOI diode detectors", Proc. SPIE 5783, 566-577, (2005).
23. F.P. Pantuso, "The path to affordable and available 640×480 uncooled FPAs", Proc. SPIE 5783, 439-443 (2005).
24. BAE System data provided by Peter Norton, private communication.
25. 2.
26. S. Horn, D. Lohrman, P. Norton, K. McCormack, and A. Hutchinson, "Reaching for the sensitivity limits of uncooled and minimally cooled thermal and photon infrared detectors", Proc. SPIE 5783, 401-411 (2005).