Development of readout system for carbon nanotube based infrared detector

Abstract

The emergence of carbon nanotube (CNT) based infrared (IR) detectors has welcomed new opportunities for IR detection for both military and civil applications. This led to research and development of high resolution CNT based IR imaging systems. In this paper, a differential input charge integrator current amplifier was designed to read the photocurrent of CNT based IR detectors. Also, all parts, including readout chip (ROIC), data acquisition card (DAQ card) and PC display, were discussed. With this technology, CNT based IR detector worked in zero bias by the differential input. Meanwhile, experiment tests on the CNT based IR sensors have shown that the least current being detected can reach to 20 pA in this readout system.