LWIR 128 x 128 GaAs/AlGaAs multiple quantum well hybrid focal plane array

The authors describe the fabrication and performance of a new type of hybrid focal plane array (FPA). The hybrid consists of a 128 x 128 GaAs/AlGaAs superlattice multiple-quantum-well detector array with peak response at 7.7 micron mated to a high-performance CMOS readout with direct injection input. The quantum-well infrared photodetector (QWIP) array was fabricated by molecular-beam epitaxy (MBE). Optical gratings were excluded to facilitate evaluation of the basic detector-technology. The mean D* at 78 K was 5.76 x 10 to the 9th cm-sq rt Hz/W. Total FPA 1/f noise was negligible, as corroborated by imagery having minimum resolvable temperature (MRT) of 30 mK at 0.07 cycles/mrad. No gain nonuniformity correction was used in the imaging demonstration. (I.E.)