Test results for the SIRTF far-infrared array module

Young, Erick T.; Rieke, G. H.; Dang, H.; Barg, I.; Thompson, C. L.

doi:10.1117/12.211281

Cited by 11 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…The SBRC-190 readout is a relatively high noise readout. The previous generation CRC-696 readout had a CDS read noise of less than 100 [15,16]. Using a lower noise readout would result in a lower NEP.…”

Section: -Photocurrentmentioning

confidence: 98%

Preliminary test results of a low-noise 2x16 Ge:Sb array with a CTIA readout

2005

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Germanium detectors are extensively used in astronomical instruments for far infrared observations. To meet the science objectives of future space projects, large-format far IR detectors are needed. As a first step toward this goal, we have fabricated a 2x16 Ge:Sb array with the 1x32, SB-190 CTIA cryogenic readout. The detector design as well as the preliminary results of our parametric tests are presented here. The array exhibits very good noise performance with an NEP as low as 4.0E-18 W/√Hz, and confirms the viability of the design for large format arrays.Far infrared and sub millimeter detectors and detector arrays have drawn increasing interest from NASA and the astronomy community is general. In the most recent workshops on far IR and submillimeter detector technology sponsored by NASA in 2002 [1,2], the pivotal role of far IR arrays was reiterated and the need for further advancement in this area was reemphasized. The experts' consensus expressed in these workshops was also emphatically echoed in the report issued by NASA's Infrared, Submillimeter, and Millimeter Detector Working Group (ISMDWG) [3] as well as the Origins Roadmap [4].Far IR arrays constitute the key technology for SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory For Infrared Astronomy) and the future far IR space telescopes that are currently on the drawing board. NASA's Single Aperture Far-Infrared Observatory (SAFIR) is conceptualized as a 5K, 10m space telescope operating in the 40µm-1mm wavelength range [5,6]. Its target launch-date is 2020. SPICA (SPace Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics), a.k.a. HII/L2, is a Japanese 3.5m space telescope targeted to be launched in 2010 and will cover the 5-200µm wavelength range [7]. Both of these telescopes require large format (larger than 64x64) far IR detector arrays with cryogenic readout multiplexers, the technology that is currently immature.In order to take full advantage of the scientifically rich far IR and submm spectral range, large-format arrays similar to those currently operating in near and mid IR regions are needed. The fundamental advantage of large-format arrays, of course, is that the observing time scales as (Sensitivity) 2 /(Number of pixels). The desire for large formats can best be fulfilled by a suitable direct hybrid architecture employing planar, indium bump-bond technology. Although this technology has been used successfully with short wavelength detectors for many years, its extension to long wavelength (>50µm) is neither automatic nor trivial. This is due to the fact that the operating condition as well as the material for far IR and submm detectors are substantially different than those for the near and mid IR detectors. In particular, the requirement for low bias levels, deep cryogenic operation, the glow from the readout electronics, detector heating, and thermal mismatch between the readout and the detector array impose different restrictions that are incompatible with the present direct hybrid design. A different approach is, therefore, needed to address all the issue...

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Section: -Photocurrentmentioning

confidence: 98%

Preliminary test results of a low-noise 2x16 Ge:Sb array with a CTIA readout

2005

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“…Our effort has leveraged the rich heritage of the developmental work in this area, in particular the work of Erick Young et al which culminated in construction of the Ge:Ga FPAs for Spitzer's MIPS instrument [10][11][12][13][14][15][16]. Similar efforts have also been carried out by other investigators with equally impressive FPAs for PACS of Herschel [14][15][16], FIFI LS of SOFIA [16], and FIS of AKARI [17][18][19].…”

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confidence: 91%

Design of a 1k pixel Ge:Sb focal-plane array for far-IR astronomy

et al. 2008

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Development of large format, far infrared focal-plane arrays has been identified as a pressing need for future astronomical instruments. In particular, array sizes as large as 128x128 with sensitivities equal to or better than 10 -18 W/ Hz are the goals to be achieved within the next fifteen years. As part of our continuing effort to further this technology, we are developing a 32x32 Ge:Sb photoconductor FPA with a CTIA cryogenic readout multiplexer. A new, layered-hybrid architecture is employed to block the readout glow, improve heat dissipation and temperature uniformity across the array, and alleviate the potential problems associated with the large CTE mismatch between the Ge detector and the Si readout. This is the first 1k-pixel photoconductor FPA of its kind and is meant to be a pathfinder for future large format FPAs. Based on the test results of a prototype 2x16 Ge:Sb array of similar design, we expect the sensitivity of this FPA to be as low as 10 -18 W/ Hz. This paper presents the design, characteristics, and the expected performance of this array.Recent studies of technology needs for future NASA astronomical missions have highlighted the serious lack of capability to fabricate large format focal-plane arrays (FPAs) for the scientifically rich but relatively unexplored far IR and submillimeter region (40-1000 m) [1][2][3]. This important technology has not benefited from the latest advances in FPA development for near and mid-IR primarily because of the absence of commercial and defense drivers. The need for large format far IR FPAs has further been echoed in the specific assessments of SAFIR (Single Aperture Far Infrared Observatory) [4-6] and its subsequent design concept CALISTO (Cryogenic Aperture Large Infrared Space Telescope Observatory) [7,8]. SAFIR/CALISTO is conceptualized as a 10m cold-aperture far IR/sub-mm observatory requiring FPAs larger than 128x128 with sensitivities better than 10 -19 W/ Hz. In addition, such far IR FPAs will be of critical importance to advanced instrumentation for SOFIA (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy) -due to start its observing flights in 2009 -and SPICA (SPace Infrared Telescope for Cosmology and Astrophysics) -a Japanese 3.5m space telescope covering the 5-200 m wavelength range [9].Given this technology need, we have been making incremental progress in fabricating large format photodetector FPAs with the ultimate goal of developing the capability similar to that which currently exists for shorter wavelength IR arrays. The path to establishing such capability is not straightforward since practically all the principal components of such an FPA need to be developed and, due to significant differences between short and long wavelength photodetector materials, the technology for short wavelength FPAs cannot be extended routinely.Our effort has leveraged the rich heritage of the developmental work in this area, in particular the work of Erick Young et al. which culminated in construction of the Ge:Ga FPAs for Spitzer's MIPS instrument [10][11][12]...

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“…The capacitive-transimpedance amplifier (CTIA) design, shown in Fig. 1, has proven to be well suited for such detectors and has been successfully used in readouts for instruments such as Spitzer's MIPS [1][2][3], AKARI's FIS [4], Herschel's PACS [5], and SOFIA's FIFI LS [5].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Following the success of CRC696 [1][2][3] and SBRC190 [6,7] -both 1 Â 32 readout arrays -and in collaboration with Raytheon Vision Systems we have designed and fabricated SB349, a two-side buttable 32 Â 32 CTIA array capable of operation down to at least 1.7 K. Although the array's 32 Â 32 format is quite modest compared to the state-of-the-art readouts for near and mid-IR arrays, it is by far the largest two-dimensional CTIA readout that has been developed for far IR detectors to this date. This design is scalable and is the first step toward construction of very large formats.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%