Si:As IBC IR focal plane arrays for ground-based and space-based astronomy

Estrada, Arnold D.; Domingo, George; Garnett, James D.; Hoffman, Alan W.; Lum, Nancy A.; Love, Peter J.; Solomon, Steven L.; Venzon, John E.; Chapman, G. R.; Sparkman, Kevin; McCreight, Craig R.; McKelvey, Mark E.; McMurray, Robert E.; Estrada, John A.; Zins, S.; McHugh, R.; Johnson, R. R.

doi:10.1117/12.317220

Cited by 23 publications

(13 citation statements)

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“…It is assumed that detector noise will be dominated by read noise since dark currents below 10 e/pix/s have been routinely achieved for modern mid-IR detector FPAs such as Si:As IBC devices. 5,6 The expected 80% encircled energy distribution over mid-IR wavelengths for SOFIA is estimated to be at least 3 arcsec. Therefore a scale of 1.5 arcsec/pixel will enable critical sampling.…”

Section: Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and testing of a 1024×1024 pixel Si:As IBC detector for SOFIA-like applications

et al. 2003

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Airborne and space telescope astronomical observations in the 5-25 micron wavelength region are critical for understanding the physical conditions, composition, chemistry, and excitation of many environments in the interstellar medium, external galaxies, solar system objects, extra-solar systems, and stars. The scientific impact is particularly unique in the 5-8 micron and 14-25 micron regions which are inaccessible or poorly observed from ground-based observatories. Large format mid-infrared detectors sensitive over these wavelengths and operable under moderate backgrounds (~10 6 photons/s/pixel at R=2000, at 10 microns) are essential for efficient large-area survey imaging and for taking moderate resolution spectra over a large spectral range. Both SOFIA and passively cooled Explorer observatories could benefit from this technology. Current first-light SOFIA instruments use small-format mid-infrared focal plane arrays of sizes 256 x 256 pixels. With the collaboration of Raytheon Infrared Operations, NASA-Ames Research Center has developed and tested the first 1024 x 1024 mid-infrared device suitable for operating under moderate backgrounds: a combination of the ALADDIN III readout multiplexer, cryo-processed for 6 K operation, with Si:As IBC detector material designed for high QE. This device has exhibited low dark current, moderate noise levels, and > 200,000 electron linear well size at 6 K operation. We conclude with suggestions for future device development for optimal performance under moderate background, SOFIA-and low Earth orbit observing conditions.

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Section: Requirementsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and testing of a 1024×1024 pixel Si:As IBC detector for SOFIA-like applications

et al. 2003

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“…The linearity correction can be done in any number of ways. For the InSb detectors of channels 1 and 2, a relation of the form S = A·t + B·t 2 (2) (where t is exposure time and A and B are constants) was used to fit to the measured DN values. The linearized signal S′ is then given by…”

Section: Linearitymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…These are (1) to study the early universe, (2) to search for and study brown dwarfs and superplanets, (3) to study ultraluminous galaxies and active galactic nuclei, and (4) to discover and study protoplanetary and planetary debris disks. IRAC is a powerful survey instrument because of its high sensitivity, large field, and simultaneous four-color imaging.…”

Section: Introduction 11 Description Of Iracmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance of the infrared array camera (IRAC) for SIRTF during instrument integration and test

et al. 2003

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The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) is one of three focal plane instruments in the Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF). IRAC is a four-channel camera that obtains simultaneous images at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8 microns. Two adjacent 5.12×5.12 arcmin fields of view in the SIRTF focal plane are viewed by the four channels in pairs (3.6 and 5.8 microns; 4.5 and 8 microns). All four detector arrays in the camera are 256×256 pixels in size, with the two shorter wavelength channels using InSb and the two longer wavelength channels using Si:As IBC detectors. We describe here the results of the instrument functional and calibration tests completed at Ball Aerospace during the integration with the cryogenic telescope assembly, and provide updated estimates of the in-flight sensitivity and performance of IRAC in SIRTF.

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“…Two adjacent 5.2′×5.2′ fields of view in the Spitzer focal plane are viewed by the four channels in pairs (3.6 and 5.8 μm; 4.5 and 8 μm). All four detector arrays in the camera are 256×256 pixels in size, with the 3.6 and 4.5 μm channels using InSb arrays and the 4.5 and 8 μm channels using Si:As IBC arrays 5,6,7,8,9 . Both detector types have pixels with a size of 30×30 μm, but the Si:As detector material is thicker (50 μm) than in the InSb devices (7 μm).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The effects of cosmic rays and solar flares on the IRAC detectors: the first two years of in-flight operation

et al. 2006

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The Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) is a four-channel camera on the Spitzer Space Telescope, one of three focal plane science instruments. IRAC uses two pairs of 256×256 pixel InSb and Si:As IBC detectors to provide simultaneous imaging at 3.6, 4.5, 5.8, and 8 μm. IRAC experiences a flux of cosmic rays and solar protons that produce transient effects in science images from each of the arrays, with 4 -6 pixels per second being affected during each integration. During extreme solar flares, IRAC experiences a much higher rate of transients which affects the science data quality. We present cosmic ray rates and observed detector characteristics for IRAC during the first two years of science operation, and rates observed in a period of elevated solar proton flux during an intense solar flare in January 2005. We show the changes to the IRAC detectors observed since launch, and assess their impacts to the science data quality.

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Si:As IBC IR focal plane arrays for ground-based and space-based astronomy

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Development and testing of a 1024×1024 pixel Si:As IBC detector for SOFIA-like applications

Development and testing of a 1024×1024 pixel Si:As IBC detector for SOFIA-like applications

Performance of the infrared array camera (IRAC) for SIRTF during instrument integration and test

The effects of cosmic rays and solar flares on the IRAC detectors: the first two years of in-flight operation

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