The fabrication of large format, long wavelength (LWIR) mercury cadmium telluride based focal plane arrays (FPAs) is highly desirable for Air Force applications such as satellite power and array cooling reduction along with higher resolution. However, the development of large FPAs has been… More

The fabrication of large format, long wavelength (LWIR) mercury cadmium telluride based focal plane arrays (FPAs) is highly desirable for Air Force applications such as satellite power and array cooling reduction along with higher resolution. However, the development of large FPAs has been… More

The Fabrication of large format mid and long wavelength (MWIR and LWIR) mercury cadmium telluride based staring focal plane array (FPAs) is highly desirable for DOD applications such as surveillance and target acquisition missions. However, the development of large FPAs has been seriously impeded… More

The availability of large format, multicolor, high performance infrared focal plane arrays is of the utmost importance to future DoD missions. The semiconductor HgCdTe is the material of choice for multicolor arrays due to its bandgap tunabilitythroughout the infrared spectral range and its high… More

High efficiency and speed silicon avalanche photodiodes (APD) are currently available for low-light detection in the 200 to 1150nm range. However, silicon has weak optical absorption beyond 1000 nm. The NASA Surface Topography and Oceanic Measurements programs requires high efficiency, high speed,… More

High-performance HgCdTe infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) sensing in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) region and advanced structures such as multi-color detectors required for future generation IRFPAs are highly desirable for various Air Forceapplications. Such device architectures require not… More

High-performance HgCdTe infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) sensing in the long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) region and advanced structures such as multi-color detectors required for future generation IRFPAs are highly desirable for various Air Forceapplications. Such device architectures require not… More

HgCdTe infrared arrays operating at 77K can now be tailored to a wide range of wavelengths ranging from 1 to 14 mm. However, the cooling requirements of traditional detectors make them bulky and unsuitable for many applications. Due to advancements inmaterials and device technologies, it is now… More

"Avalanche photodetectors (APD) focal plane arrays (FPAs), with high sensitivity and large dynamic range are the most promising photodetectors for three dimensional imaging LADAR systems due to their low detectable powers and high performance. However, manypresent-day devices have poor bandwidths… More

"High-performance HgCdTe focal plane arrays (FPAs) sensing in the long-wavelength (LWIR) and very long wavelength (VLWIR) infrared spectral ranges are highly desirable for various applications supporting missile defense capabilities. Advanced sensorstructures based on dual or multi-color HgCdTe… More

"The fabrication of large format, highly sensitive Focal Plane Arrays (FPAs), sensing at very long wavelength in the IR region i.e beyond 15um (VLWIR) is highly desirable for Air Force's space based applications. Currently, only limited types of arrays suchas 256 X 256 Si:As (5-20 um) are available… More

"We propose a new generation of non-equilibrium superlattice, high efficiency VLWIR(14 um and longer) detectors that operate in the 40-77K temperature range. The objectives will be achieved by combining the advantages of the molecular beam epitaxy(MBE)crystal growth technique, an innovative… More

The fabrication of large format, highly sensitive focal plane arrays (FPAs) sensing at very long wavelengths in the infrared region (VLWIR), i.e. beyond 15um, is highly desirable for the Air Force's space-based applications. Currently, only limited typesof arrays such as 256 X 256 Si:As are… More

We propose here a new generation of two color superlattice-based VLWIR detectors. The objective will be achieved by combining the advantages of the molecular beam epitaxy(MBE) crystal growth technique, and band gap engineering of a superlattice structurewith reduced tunneling currents and accurate… More

Infrared focal plane arrays that are capable of simultaneously detecting more than one wavelength are critical for improved clutter rejection, target identification, and range. Future infrared systems applications would greatly benefit from multi-colorsensors by replacing the current DoD technology… More

We propose the development of high quality HgCdTe-based materials and high performance two-color detector arrays operating in the very-long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) spectral region. The fabrication of large format, high sensitivity focal plane arrays sensing in the VLWIR is highly desirable for… More

High-performance detectors sensing in the long wavelength and very long wavelength infrared spectral ranges are desirable for various applications supporting Air Force and Missile Defense capabilities. Limited types of detectors and arrays are currently available for the detection of infrared… More

We propose a new generation of non-equilibrium, high efficiency long and very long wavelength infrared (8 microns and longer) superlattice-based detectors that operate in the 40 to 77 K temperature range. This technology will lead to the possibility of improving the performance of current infrared… More

MCT grown on CdZnTe substrates is the dominant material for infrared photon detectors. However, the technology for polishing CdZnTe substrates to the quality demanded by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) does not currently exist in the United States. EPIR Technologies proposes to develop a technology for… More

EPIR Technologies has experience in polishing II-VI semiconductor substrates for MBE applications. We propose to transfer this experience to the polishing of Sb-based substrates. The quality of a surface is determined by the degree of surface flatness (or curvature), smoothness, stoichiometry, and… More

Colloidal suspensions of quantum dots (QD) offer a novel, inexpensive means of biological-warfare-agent (BWA) detection using compact lightweight systems that may be deployed in a variety of ways, including handheld biosensors. We propose here to design, fabricate and test portable, lightweight,… More

It is critical in the field on infrared imaging to reduce array costs and simultaneously improve their performance. We propose to achieve both. The use of long wavelength infrared HgCdTe grown on Si substrates will reduce the array costs, increase its mechanical strength and permit the fabrication… More

High sensitivity HgCdTe infrared arrays operating at 77K can now be tailored in a wide range of wavelengths. However, the cooling requirements make them bulky and unsuitable for many DOD applications. We propose two novel approaches to increase their operating temperature. In the first approach, we… More

The use of Si-based composite substrates for HgCdTe infrared focal plane arrays holds the promise of improved resolution, greater robustness and lower cost as compared to arrays that employ the present-day standard CdZnTe substrates. The principal challenge associated with the use of Si-based… More

Most seeker systems usually operate at long distances. The return laser signal from the target is not only attenuated by absorption, reflection and scattering by air-borne gas, dust and liquid particles, but also by the emissivity and reflectivity variations of the target surface. High bandwidth… More

Modern Air Force weapon systems need to detect, recognize and track a variety of targets under a wide spectrum of atmospheric conditions. Recent technology developments are paving the way toward imaging optical radars with wavelengths in MWIR range for these applications. The best suited detectors… More

The problem to be solved in the proposed work is that the deposition of the usual In and Au metal contacts on HgCdTe-based IR detectors creates additional stress in the HgCdTe immediately below the contacts, This stress has been observed to getter threading dislocations, which, in turn, creates… More

The most challenging degrading effect on current state-of-the-art focal plane arrays is caused by the random spatial and temporal photoresponse nonuniformity of the pixels. We propose a major improvement by controlling the temperature of individual pixels with individual thermoelectric coolers. We… More

We propose the development of infrared detectors with high detectivities operating at high speeds and at room temperature in the 1-12 micron wavelength range using a combination of two techniques. First, non-equilibrium device operation concepts will be implemented to suppresses both radiative and… More

High sensitivity HgCdTe infrared arrays operating at 77K can now be tailored in a wide range of wavelengths from 1 to14 um. However, the cooling requirements make them bulky and unsuitable to be incorporated into robust autonomous sensor systems. We propose to develop detectors with high… More

Despite considerable progress with bulk HgCdTe photovoltaic technology, difficulties persist in sensing wavelengths longer than 12 microns with bulk alloy material due to the limitations imposed by high Auger recombination rates and large tunneling dark currents. Strained layer superlattices using… More

EPIR Technologies demonstrated in Phase I of this project the ability to polish small GaSb wafers to an epi-ready state. Surfaces smoother than those of typical wafers sold by the best supplier of GaSb substrates for SL growth were obtained. In Phase II, we propose to build upon the experience… More

MWIR avalanche photodetectors (APDs) are required in modern Air Force weapons systems to detect, recognize and track stationary and mobile targets under various atmospheric conditions against complex backgrounds. Theoretical and experimental results point toward HgCdTe as the material of choice for… More

The ultimate goal of this project is to develop the technology required for the fabrication of monolithically integrated passive thermoelectric devices with infrared photon detector arrays for improved uniformity and operability. The feasibility of using

Many advanced HgCdTe (MCT) infrared detector structures are grown by the molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique, which is especially sensitive to small imperfections, impurities, precipitates, and polishing damage on the substrate surface. In order to achieve very high crystalline quality MCT… More

The MDA's request to detect, track and discriminate long range targets requires infrared focal plane arrays (IRFPAs) that have higher sensitivities, longer cutoff wavelengths (>14 µm), larger formats (> 256 x 256), and higher operating temperatures than the current infrared technology. PbSnTe is an… More

Currently there is no real-time technology to detect airborne biological warfare agents (BWAs). Conventional technologies require 30 minutes to 1 hour. We propose to design, fabricate and test user-friendly, low-logistical-load biosensors capable of the real-time (~ 30 s. or less) detection and… More

The overall objective of this Phase I proposal is to create a model based on molecular dynamics (MD) that can predict the specific Quantum Dot Superlattice (QDSL) heteroepitaxial structures that will grow, given various factors such as growth temperature, flux rate, and spacer thickness. AlGaN/GaN… More

High sensitivity HgCdTe infrared arrays operating at 77K can now be tailored in a wide range of wavelengths from 1 to 14 microns. However, due to the cooling requirements, they consume large amounts of power and are bulky and unsuitable for many NASA applications. During Phase I, we demonstrated… More

A major issue that inhibits the performance of current long wavelength infrared (LWIR) focal plane arrays (FPAs) in THAAD seekers is the residual non-uniformity (RNU). This non-uniformity (larger that 0.2% in FPAs fabricated with the current technology) leads to major restrictions on FPA integration… More

MDA is developing deployable airborne systems such as the Airborne Laser (ABL) for boost-phase missile defense. The ABL's mission would significantly benefit from enhanced target detection and ranging capabilities. We propose an active sensing system compatible with ABL that is based on HgCdTe… More

Currently there is no real-time technology to reliably neutralize biological and chemical agents. Conventional technologies require several hours for decontamination of surfaces either through manual spraying or scrubbing. We propose to design, fabricate and test a user-friendly,… More

The objective of this Phase I effort is to investigate the feasibility of using quaternary alloys based on the established II-VI compounds HgTe, CdTe and ZnTe to generate crystals with the desired bandgaps for solar cells and the use of additional down-converting glass plates to allow for enhanced… More

NASA's next generation of x-ray observation missions require x-ray calorimeters with superior energy resolution. Semimetallic HgTe has already proven itself as an excellent soft x-ray absorber material due to its low heat capacity. The alloy Hg0.834Cd0.166Te is predicted to also have zero energy gap… More

EPIR Technologies Inc. will develop infrared focal plane arrays that have the potential of increased sensitivity, longer cutoff wavelengths (>14 m), larger formats (> 256 x 256), and higher operating temperatures than the current state of the art infrared photon imaging technology. PbSnSe will be… More

The overall objective of this program is to create a predictive model based on molecular dynamics (MD) to simulate the growth of three material systems of great technological importance: InGaN/GaN, CdTe/ZnTe/Si:As and CdTe/GaAs. InGaN/GaN quantum dot (QD) heterostructures have attracted a great deal… More

HgCdTe is the material of choice for the fabrication of high performance infrared focal plane arrays. HgCdTe is usually grown on CdZnTe substrates, which suffer from cost and size limitations. Silicon substrates do not have these constraints. Although device-quality HgCdTe cannot be grown directly… More

In the Phase I program, EPIR Technologies successfully developed a technology for real-time, simultaneous detection of several types of biological agents using a novel FRET-based detection technique. The development of multiplexed detection capabilities with extremely low false positives in this… More

In the Phase I program, EPIR Technologies successfully developed lapping, polishing, and cleaning protocols for 2 cm x 2 cm Cd0.96Zn0.04Te wafers for the molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth of HgCdTe. The implementation of a custom engineered EpiTEKT crystal polishing machine in this Phase I… More

Modern seekers need to detect, recognize, identify and track a variety of autonomously guided munitions under a wide spectrum of conditions and countermeasures. We propose the implementation of hyperspectral and polarization-sensitive techniques based on HgCdTe infrared detectors to improve the… More

Future NASA missions will require significant improvements in photovoltaic energy conversion efficiency (>30%) and mass specific power (>600 W/kg), and improved radiation tolerance. We propose to develop a high efficiency monolithic three-junction, two-terminal solar cell using lattice matched… More

High sensitivity HgCdTe infrared detector arrays operating at 77K can be tailored for response across the infrared spectrum and are commonly utilized for infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs). However, the cooling systems required to achieve the desired sensitivity makes them heavy and therefore… More

A novel surface passivation technique is proposed for InAs/GaInSb-based strained layer superlattice focal plane arrays with a pitch of 15 m or less. Buffered oxide and sulfur-based surface treatments prior to dielectric deposition are proposed as the most suitable and chemically stable surface… More

Current state of the art LWIR and VLWIR focal plane arrays are typically fabricated with HgCdTe epilayers grown on expensive and limited-size CdZnTe substrates. The transition to silicon-based substrates, which are much cheaper and available in large sizes, has been hindered by high dislocation… More

An ultra-low noise integrated circuit for mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) infrared detectors is proposed. Noise reduction techniques such as active noise cancellation are commercially successful and have been implemented using silicon-based integrated circuits to reduce background and… More

To satisfy Joint Services needs for the detection and identification of chemical and biological agents, infrared detectors must discriminate within a narrow spectral band tunable over large portions of the infrared spectrum. Currently, large, complex, power hungry and computationally intensive FTIR… More

The goal of this project is to reduce the cooling requirements of MWIR HgCdTe infrared photon detectors and improve detector performance at present-day cryogenic operating temperatures. During Phase I, we designed innovative Pn-N detectors and established the feasibility of growing the required… More

NASA's next generation of x-ray observation missions require x-ray calorimeters with superior energy resolution. Semimetallic HgTe has already proven itself as an excellent soft x-ray absorber material due to its low heat capacity. Hg0.834Cd0.166Te was shown in Phase 1 to have a heat capacity… More

In the Phase I program, EPIR Technologies successfully developed a technology for the rapid high efficiency neutralization of biological contaminants using a novel photo-triggered release mechanism. The development of polymeric biocide-carrier capabilities with embedded photosensitizers in this… More

This project aims to design, fabricate and characterize ultra-low-noise amplifiers for HgCdTe infrared detectors by using low-noise transistors as the active device and implementing novel noise cancellation schemes to reduce the noise figure of the amplif

EPIR Technologies Inc. proposes to develop a multi-scale modeling tool based on the integration of finite element methods (FEM), molecular dynamics (MD) and cellular automata (CA) that can simulate the evolution of pitting (one of the most important forms of corrosion) and the resultant mechanical… More

High sensitivity HgCdTe focal plane arrays operating at 77 K can be tailored for response across the infrared spectrum. However, the cooling systems required to achieve the desired sensitivity makes them heavy and therefore unsuitable for the next generation of interceptor seekers. Reducing cooling… More

The real-time detection of buried landmines from a moving and vibrating platform is a challenging problem mainly due to the limited sensitivity of present-day receivers. The technical approach we propose is to develop a highly sensitive, acoustic-laser vibrometer system combined with imaging and… More

Traditional Cathodoluminescence (CL) tools are limited to the Near Infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Commercially available NIR CL tools are useful for studying wide bandgap semiconductors like CdTe. However, narrow gap materials such as Mid and Long Wavelength infrared (MWIR… More

We propose a low noise amplifier for receiver front ends in wideband communication systems. The circuit will exploit wide band noise reduction techniques such as active noise cancellation. High frequency, wide bandwidth signals have several advantages ranging from high data rate communications to… More

The 300-1000 cm-1 spectral region, commonly referred to as the fingerprint region, is rich in spectral signatures; also, blackbody emission at room temperature peaks in this region. Thus, high-resolution infrared (IR) detectors sensitive in this region are seriously needed for the remote sensing of… More

The deployment of next generation focal plane arrays sensing in the long wavelength infrared will improve the detection capabilities in all major MDA infrared systems. However, a major limitation to the employment of these high sensitivity arrays is the cooling system. Current tactical cryocoolers… More

Present thermoelectric devices operate at about 10% of the Carnot efficiency, whereas the efficiency of compressor-based refrigerators is larger than 30%. An increase in the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT above 3 is needed before thermoelectric technology can replace current air conditioning… More

The capability to reliably and remotely detect, identify and track biological aerosols is a critical need for the United States military. EPIR Technologies proposes to improve this capability by making use of the infrared signatures from biological aerosol broadband Mie scattering, comprising both… More

In order to satisfy the DOD and commercial needs for the detection and identification of chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals or biological compounds, we propose a compact, low-cost sensor based on the integration of HgCdTe photodiode detection technology with… More

Chemical imaging sensors require focal plane arrays (FPAs) comprising long wavelength infrared (LWIR) detectors suitable for hyperspectral detection. These detectors require high sensitivity to account for the low photon counts in narrow wavelength bands. The required sensitivity elevates the… More

A constant demand exists to improve the sensitivity of trace chemical species measurement systems, which is often limited by the performance of the infrared photon detector components. The significant cooling required to reduce dark currents and increase detectivities is a practical concern… More

The MDA is developing deployable airborne systems such as the Airborne Laser (ABL) for boost-phase missile defense. The ABL's mission would significantly benefit from the development of sensors that enhance target detection and ranging capabilities. We propose near-infrared, linear mode, photon… More

To satisfy DOD's Joint Services needs for the detection and identification of chemical and biological warfare agents, we propose a compact, low-cost sensor system based on the integration of HgCdTe infrared emitter and photodiode detection technologies wi

Infrared night vision is a key technology employed by the U.S. military for multiple critical applications. The cameras utilize detector pixel arrays (often composed of HgCdTe) hybridized to silicon read out circuitry. For next generation applications, the goal is to reduce pixel pitch and increase… More

The proposed Phase II effort will focus on the fabrication and testing of high performance 640x512 long wavelength infrared (LWIR) type-II strained layer superlattice detector arrays. The effort will start with the modeling of devices and arrays, followed by improving the understanding of bulk… More

As HgCdTe technology has evolved, many of the devices used in infrared detector applications have required the creation of high-aspect-ratio morphologies. Therefore, equally important to the creation of these high-aspect-ratio geometries is the ability to subsequently deposit the necessary… More

In order to satisfy the Navy's needs for the detection and identification of volatile organic compounds and other gases relevant to the compromise of lithium-ion batteries, we propose a compact, low-cost sensor based on the integration of HgCdTe emitter and photodiode detection technologies with… More

The goal of this proposed project is to design, fabricate and characterize ultra-low-noise amplifiers for radar and signal intelligence applications. High frequency, wide bandwidth signals have several advantages in applications ranging from high data rate communications to high resolution radar.… More

Traditional Cathodoluminescence (CL) tools are limited to the Near Infrared (NIR) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Commercially available NIR CL tools are useful for studying wide bandgap semiconductors like CdTe. However, narrow gap materials such as Mid and Long Wavelength infrared (MWIR… More

To satisfy DOD"s Joint Services needs for the detection and identification of chemical and biological warfare agents, we propose a compact, low-cost sensor system based on the integration of HgCdTe infrared emitter and photodiode detection technologies wi

We propose the development of nanoscale superlattices (SLs) as the active elements of high efficiency thermoelectric coolers.Recent models predict that the thermoelectric figure of merit ZT can reach 4 for elements fabricated from HgCdTe-based SLs andcould exceed 6 for related metal/semiconductor… More

Current state-of-the-art infrared focal plane arrays are based on HgCdTe grown on bulk CdZnTe substrates. The use of Si-based substrates would eliminate a number of drawbacks related to the HgCdTe/CdZnTe system and permit larger formats. We have developed growth protocols that produce material with… More

Hydrogen isotopes have been shown to reduce the electrical effects of various semiconductor defects. Specifically, monoatomic hydrogen and deuterium passivate the electrical activity of defects such as dislocations in long-wavelength HgCdTe grown on Si. We propose a novel method of controlling the… More

Current infrared (IR) focal plane arrays (FPAs) are too slow for the detection of high speed events such as fast moving targets primarily due to the speed of their readout integrated circuits (ROICs). The speed of the readout is not only dependent on the unit cell bandwidth, but also the ability to… More

Rapid detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) in the field can provide critical contamination avoidance and reconnaissance. CWAs pose a serious threat to both civilian and military sectors, and present techniques rely on dangerous collection methods, active measurement through external IR… More

Chemical imaging sensors require focal plane arrays (FPAs) incorporating long wavelength infrared (LWIR) detectors suitable for hyperspectral detection. These detectors require high sensitivity to account for the low photon counts in narrow wavelength bands. The required sensitivity elevates the… More

Infrared night vision is a key technology employed by the U.S. military for multiple critical applications. The cameras utilize detector pixel arrays (often composed of HgCdTe) hybridized to silicon read out circuitry. For next generation applications, the goal is to reduce pixel pitch and increase… More

Infrared spectroscopy is an invaluable detection and measurement tool intensively used in Earth Science, Solar Physics and Astrophysics experiments pursued from satellite platforms. The geometrical characteristics and sensitivity of satellite infrared spectroscopy systems is often determined or… More

We propose the development of a near infrared/shortwave infrared (NIR/SWIR) sensor based on mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) in an n-type/barrier/n-type (nBn) architecture, designed for room-temperature operation in the 0.7 to 2.8µm NIR/SWIR spectral range. The sensor will compete as a low… More

ABSTRACT: We propose the development of broadband, two-color focal plane arrays (FPAs) that will allow the detection of radiation in the visible and infrared (IR) bands from the same target points with registration within the optical limit. The first band will cover the 400 nm to 4 micron… More

To satisfy the Army"s needs for the detection and identification of chemical and biological compounds and agents present in improvised explosive devices, we propose to develop a miniaturized infrared (IR) imaging spectrometer consisting of a HgCdTe-based IR focal plane array (IRFPA) coupled… More

The overall goal of this project is to develop a 100 degrees C temperature ALD CdTe passivation process capable of conformally passivating high aspect ratio surfaces of HgCdTe infrared detectors. The effort is comprised of first establishing the low temperature ALD process, next in fully… More