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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Flexible Vanadium Dioxide Photodetectors for Visible to Longwave Infrared Detection at Room Temperature

Abstract Flexible optoelectronics is a rapidly growing field, with a wide range of potential applications. From wearable sensors to bendable solar cells, curved displays, and curved focal plane arrays, the possibilities are endless. The criticality of flexible photodetectors for many of these applications is acknowledged, however, devices that are demonstrated thus far are limited in their spectral range. In this study, flexible photodetectors are demonstrated using a VO x nanoparticle ink, with an extremely broad operating wavelength range of 0.4 to 20 µm. This ink is synthesized using a simple and scalable wet‐chemical process. These photodetectors operate at room temperature and exhibit minimal variance in performance even when bent at angles of up to 100 ° at a bend radius of 6.4 mm. In addition, rigorous strain testing of 100 bend and release cycles revealed a photoresponse with a standard deviation of only 0.55%. This combination of mechanical flexibility, wide spectral response, and ease of fabrication makes these devices highly desirable for a wide range of applications, including low‐cost wearable sensors and hyperspectral imaging systems.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
NASA NTRS2009

III-V Infrared Research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Jet Propulsion Laboratory is actively developing the III-V based infrared detector and focal plane arrays (FPAs) for NASA, DoD, and commercial applications. Currently, we are working on multi-band Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), Superlattice detectors, and Quantum Dot Infrared Photodetector (QDIPs) technologies suitable for high pixel-pixel uniformity and high pixel operability large area imaging arrays. In this paper we report the first demonstration of the megapixel-simultaneously-readable and pixel-co-registered dual-band QWIP focal plane array (FPA). In addition, we will present the latest advances in QDIPs and Superlattice infrared detectors at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Dualband↗
NASA NTRS1991

Heterojunction-Internal-Photoemission Infrared Detectors

New type of photodetector adds options for design of imaging devices. Heterojunction-internal-photoemission (HIP) infrared photodetectors proposed for incorporation into planar arrays in imaging devices required to function well at wavelengths from 8 to 17 micrometers and at temperatures above 65 K. Photoexcited electrons cross energy barrier at heterojunction and swept toward collection layer. Array of such detectors made by etching mesa structures. HIP layers stacked to increase quantum efficiency. Also built into integrated circuits including silicon multiplexer/readout circuits.

Maserjian, Joseph↗
NASA NTRS1996

GaAs Infrared Detectors

It is customary to make infrared (IR) detectors in the long wavelength range (8-20 (micro)m) by utilizing the interband transition which promotes an electron across the band gap (E(sub g)) from the valence band to the conduction. These photo-electrons can be collected efficiently, thereby producing a photocurrent in the external circuit.

infrared detectors infrared photodetector↗
NASA NTRS1997

(abstract) 9 (micro)m Cutoff 640x480 Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector (QWIP) Focal Plane Array Camera

Long wavelength infrared (LWIR) detectors, 8 (micro)m to 12 (micro)m, are of great interest for a variety of ground-based and space-borne applications. These applications have placed stringent requirements on the performance of the infrared detectors and arrays including high detectivity, low dark current, uniformity, radiation hardness, and low power dissipation. I will discuss the development and progress of GaAs based long-wavelength quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) to meet those stringent requirements and the demonstration of a 9 (micro)m cutoff 640x480 QUIP focal plane array camera. The noise equivalent temperature difference of the focal plane array is 25 mK at 300 K background and the operating temperature is 70 K.

long wavelength infrared detectors LWIR detector a↗
NASA NTRS1989

Alternating-Gradient Photodetector For Far Infrared

Proposed detector of photons of wavelengths in range of 30 to 200 micrometer made of alternating layers of lightly and heavily negatively doped germanium. Formed in sequence by conventional chemical-vapor deposition. Alternating-gradient structure enhances collection of photogenerated charge carriers while suppressing dark current, thus achieving high detectivity. Alternating layers of n+ and n- germanium provides high detectivity in far-infrared spectral region. Also possible to make similar structures with positive doping and with other semiconductors as silicon or gallium arsenide to obtain various spectral response.

Overhauser, Albert W.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Recent Developments in Quantum-Well Infrared Photodetectors

Intrinsic infrared (IR) detectors in the long wavelength range (8-20 Am) are based on an optically excited interband transition, which promotes an electron across the band gap (E(sub g)) from the valence band to the conduction band as shown. These photoelectrons can be collected efficiently, thereby producing a photocurrent in the external circuit. Since the incoming photon has to promote an electron from the valence band to the conduction band, the energy of the photon (h(sub upsilon)) must be higher than the E(sub g) of the photosensitive material. Therefore, the spectral response of the detectors can be controlled by controlling the E(sub g) of the photosensitive material. Examples for such materials are Hg(1-x), Cd(x), Te, and Pb(1-x), Sn(x), Te, in which the energy gap can be controlled by varying x. This means detection of very-long-wavelength IR radiation up to 20 microns requires small band gaps down to 62 meV. It is well known that these low band gap materials, characterized by weak bonding and low melting points, are more difficult to grow and process than large-band gap semiconductors such as GaAs. These difficulties motivate the exploration of utilizing the intersub-band transitions in multiquantum well (MQW) structures made of more refractory large-band gap semiconductors. The idea of using MQW structures to detect IR radiation can be explained by using the basic principles of quantum mechanics. The quantum well is equivalent to the well-known particle in a box problem in quantum mechanics, which can be solved by the time independent Schroudiner equation.

Gunapala, S. D.↗
NASA NTRS2005

1024x1024 Pixel MWIR and LWIR QWIP Focal Plane Arrays and 320x256 MWIR:LWIR Pixel Colocated Simultaneous Dualband QWIP Focal Plane Arrays

Mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) and long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) 1024x1024 pixel quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) focal planes have been demonstrated with excellent imaging performance. The MWIR QWIP detector array has demonstrated a noise equivalent differential temperature (NE(Delta)T) of 17 mK at a 95K operating temperature with f/2.5 optics at 300K background and the LWIR detector array has demonstrated a NE(Delta)T of 13 mK at a 70K operating temperature with the same optical and background conditions as the MWIR detector array after the subtraction of system noise. Both MWIR and LWIR focal planes have shown background limited performance (BLIP) at 90K and 70K operating-temperatures respectively, with similar optical and background conditions. In addition, we are in the process of developing MWIR and LWIR pixel collocated simultaneously readable dualband QWIP focal plane arrays.

quantum wells↗
NASA NTRS2016

Performance and Radiation Tolerance of InAs/GaSb LWIR Detectors Based on CBIRD Design

We report our recent developments of antimonide based infrared photodetectors utilizing a complementary barrier infrared detector (CBIRD) design. The new generation of devices can operate close to zero bias with the same quantum efficiency as the initial design. 320x256 pixel long-wavelength infrared focal plane arrays utilizing optimized design have been demonstrated with 8.8 µm cutoff wavelength and noise equivalent differential temperature of 26 mK at operating temperature of 80 K for 300 K background and f/2 optics. As CBIRD detectors became valuable candidates for space-based instruments, question of their radiation tolerance became important. Here, we report our investigations of the proton irradiation effects on the photodetector performance.

heterostructure↗
NASA NTRS2011

Superlattice Barrier Infrared Detector Development at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory

We report recent efforts in achieving state-of-the-art performance in type-II superlattice based infrared photodetectors using the barrier infrared detector architecture. We used photoluminescence measurements for evaluating detector material and studied the influence of the material quality on the intensity of the photoluminescence. We performed direct noise measurements of the superlattice detectors and demonstrated that while intrinsic 1/f noise is absent in superlattice heterodiode, side-wall leakage current can become a source of strong frequency-dependent noise. We developed an effective dry etching process for these complex antimonide-based superlattices that enabled us to fabricate single pixel devices as well as large format focal plane arrays. We describe the demonstration of a 1024x1024 pixel long-wavelength infrared focal plane array based the complementary barrier infrared detector (CBIRD) design. An 11.5 micron cutoff focal plane without anti-reflection coating has yielded noise equivalent differential temperature of 53 mK at operating temperature of 80 K, with 300 K background and cold-stop. Imaging results from a recent 10 ?m cutoff focal plane array are also presented.

superlattice↗
NASA NTRS1999

Corrugated Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors and Arrays

Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) have many advantages in infrared detection, mainly due to the mature Ill-V material technology. The employment of the corrugation structure further advances the technology by providing a simple, yet efficient light-coupling scheme. A C-QWIP enjoys the same flexibility as a detector with intrinsic normal incident absorption. In this paper, we will discuss the utilities of C-QWIPs in different applications, including two-color detection and polarization-sensitive detection. Besides practical applications, C-QWIPs are also useful in detector characterization. They can be used for measuring the absorption coefficient of light propagating parallel to the layers under bias and providing information on the energy resolved photoconductive gain. These two quantities have never been measured before. Based on the corrugation design, we have made several modifications that further improve the detector sensitivity without increasing its complexity. Other than the C-QWIP structure, we also continue searching for other sensitive detector architectures. In a quantum grid infrared photodetector, 3-dimensional electron confinement can be achieved, with which the detector is able to absorb light in all directions. At the same time, the photoconductive gain can also be improved. We further improve the design using a blazed structure. All the experimental results are supported by a rigorous electromagnetic modal transmission-line theory developed especially for these types of structures. Preliminary thermal imaging using C-QWIP FPAs validates the advantages of the present approach.

Choi, K. K.↗
DOE OSTI2020

Standoff Detection of Chemical Plumes Using Swept-ECQCL Remote Detection Technology: Results from EMRTC Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiment

As part of the Complex Terrain Dual Tracer Experiments performed in support of the LYNM program, a swept-wavelength external cavity quantum cascade laser (swept-ECQCL) remote detection system was deployed to measure chemical plume propagation with high temporal resolution. The swept-ECQCL remote detection technology was initially developed at PNNL, and is now under further development at Opticslah, LLC under SBIR funding from DOE (DOE SBIR Phase I Project DE-SC0019855, Remote Detection Technologies, Program Manager Chris Ramos). The swept-ECQCL technology provides a single-frequency infrared laser source which is rapidly scanned over a large wavelength range to measure the infrared absorption of gases, liquids, or solids. Analysis of the measured infrared absorption spectrum is used to detect, identify, and quantify the chemical species which are present. While most previous laser-based techniques used small wavelength tuning ranges to measure only a few isolated spectral lines of a few species, the swept-ECQCL provides the large tuning range needed to measure multiple species simultaneously, and to detect broad absorption features from large molecules or condensed phase materials. In addition, the swept-ECQCL systems have high enough spectral resolution and sensitivity to measure narrow lines of small molecules and determine isotope ratios. The remote detection system for gas plumes is based on the swept-ECQCL technology, and consists of a swept-ECQCL source, infrared detector, control electronics, and beam transmitting and alignment optics. The remote detection system directs the infrared output of the swept-ECQCL to a target retro reflector typically located at ~10-10,000 m distance. The swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied continuously over a large wavelength range (>1000 nm) at rates up to 1000 Hz. The swept ECQCL light reflected from the remote target is collected and focused onto an infrared photodetector. By measuring the detector signal continuously as the swept-ECQCL wavelength is varied, a time-series of absorption spectra are measured for the gases along the beam line of-sight. Based on analysis and fitting of the measured absorption spectra, the time-dependent chemical concentrations of species are determined. Multiple species and mixtures can be detected simultaneously, for all species with absorption features above the sensor noise floor. The sensor output is thus a continuous, high-speed record of identified chemicals along with their concentrations and isotope ratios of interest. The high-speed operation enables low-noise operation in conditions of atmospheric turbulence and allows tracking of fluctuating concentrations in transient chemical plumes as needed for reliable remote detection applications. All components operate with minimal cooling requirements and no cryogens are needed. In addition, the output infrared light is invisible with an intensity below the maximum permissible exposure (MPE) threshold of 100 mW/cm2 for these infrared wavelengths and thus eye safe. The measurement concept for plume detection using the swept-ECQCL remote detection system is as follows. The ECQCL beam is directed toward a remote retro-reflector, which reflects the beam back to the ECQCL system where it is focused onto an infrared photodetector. The line-of-sight from the ECQCL system to the retro-reflector defines the measurement path. The detected infrared signal is recorded continuously and detects the absorption of molecular species along the measurement path. Before a plume release, the system measures absorption from atmospheric constituents, which in this LWIR band consist primarily of lines from H 2 O and CO 2 , with additional weaker absorption from N 2 O, NH 3 , and O 3 possibly contributing. The system then measures any changes in absorption due to the tracer compounds when they enter the measurement path. The shape of absorption features is used to distinguish and identify the different tracer compounds, and the strength of the absorption is used to determine the path-integrated concentration – also called the column density.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
NASA NTRS2020

Antimonides T2SL Mid-Wave and Long-Wave Infrared Focal Plane Arrays for Earth Remote Sensing Applications

In this presentation, we will report our recent efforts in achieving high performance in Antimonides type-II superlattice (T2SL) based infrared photodetectors using the barrier infrared detector (BIRD) architecture. The initial BIRD devices (such as the nBn and the XBn) used either InAs absorber grown on InAs substrate, or lattice-matched InAsSb alloy grown on GaSb substrate, with cutoff wavelengths of ~3.2μm and ~4μm, respectively. While these detectors could operate at much higher temperatures than existing MWIR detectors based on InSb, their spectral responses do not cover the full (3 – 5.5μm) MWIR atmospheric transmission window. The T2SL BIRD devices not only covers the full MWIR atmospheric transmission window, but the full LWIR atmospheric transmission window and beyond. The LWIR detectors based on the BIRD architecture has also demonstrated significant operating temperature advantages over those based on traditional p-n junction designs. Two 6U SmalSat missions CIRAS (Cubesat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder) and HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) are based on JPL’s T2SL BIRD focal plane arrays (FPAs). Based on III-V compound semiconductors, the BIRD FPAs offer a breakthrough solution for the realization of low cost (high yield), high-performance FPAs with excellent uniformity and pixel-to-pixel operability.

Ghuman, Parminder↗
NASA NTRS2020

T2SL Focal Planes for Compact Remote Sensing Instruments

In this presentation, we will report our recent efforts in achieving high performance in Antimonides type-II superlattice (T2SL) based infrared photodetectors using the barrier infrared detector (BIRD) architecture. The initial BIRD devices (such as the nBn and the XBn) used either InAs absorber grown on InAs substrate, or lattice-matched InAsSb alloy grown on GaSb substrate, with cutoff wavelengths of ~3.2μm and ~4μm, respectively. While these detectors could operate at much higher temperatures than existing MWIR detectors based on InSb, their spectral responses do not cover the full (3 – 5.5μm) MWIR atmospheric transmission window. The T2SL BIRD devices not only covers the full MWIR atmospheric transmission window, but the full LWIR atmospheric transmission window and beyond. The LWIR detectors based on the BIRD architecture has also demonstrated significant operating temperature advantages over those based on traditional p-n junction designs. Two 6U SmalSat missions CIRAS (Cubesat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder) and HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) are based on JPL’s T2SL BIRD focal plane arrays (FPAs). Based on III-V compound semiconductors, the BIRD FPAs offer a breakthrough solution for the realization of low cost (high yield), high-performance FPAs with excellent uniformity and pixel-to-pixel operability.

Ghuman, Parminder↗
NASA NTRS2021

T2SL Focal Planes for Compact Remote Sensing Instruments

In this presentation, we will report our recent efforts in achieving high performance in Antimonides type-II superlattice (T2SL) based infrared photodetectors using the barrier infrared detector (BIRD) architecture. The high operating temperature (HOT) BIRD focal plane arrays (FPAs) offer the same high performance, uniformity, operability, manufacturability, and affordability advantages as InSb. However, mid-wavelength infrared (MWIR) HOT-BIRD FPAs can operate at significantly higher temperatures (>150K) than InSb FPAs (typically 80K). Moreover, while InSb has a fixed cutoff wavelength (~5.4 µm), the HOT-BIRD offers a continuous adjustable cutoff wavelength, ranging from ~4 µm to >15 µm, and is therefore also suitable for long wavelength infrared (LWIR) as well. The LWIR detectors based on the BIRD architecture has also demonstrated significant operating temperature advantages over those based on traditional p-n junction designs. Two 6U SmalSat missions CIRAS (Cubesat Infrared Atmospheric Sounder) and HyTI (Hyperspectral Thermal Imager) are based on JPL’s T2SL BIRD focal plane arrays (FPAs). Based on III-V compound semiconductors, the BIRD FPAs offer a breakthrough solution for the realization of low cost (high yield), high-performance FPAs with excellent uniformity and pixel-to-pixel operability. We have also exploring the possibilities of implementing either metasurface resonator cavity or metasurface based flatlens to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of the detectors.

Ghuman, Parminder↗