Structure design of HgCdTe mid-wavelength photon trapping infrared focal plane arrays

Abstract

Photon trapping structure in HgCdTe mid-wavelength infrared detectors is investigated in this study by exploiting the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. The quantum efficiency and the current-voltage characteristics have been numerically simulated, using commercial Technology Computer Aided Design ( TCAD ) software Apsys. Simulation results indicate that in contrast to the regular mesa structure, the photon trapping structure can reduce dark current and noise without degrading quantum efficiency.