Infrared imaging arrays using advanced III-V materials and technology

Photodetectors operating in the 3-5 and 8-12 /spl mu/m atmospheric windows are of great importance for applications in infrared (IR) thermal imaging. HgCdTe has been the dominant material system for these applications. However, it suffers from instability and non-uniformity problems over large areas due to high Hg vapor pressure during the material, growth. There has been a lot of interest in the use of heteroepitaxially grown Sb-based alloys, its strained layer superlattices, and GaAs based quantum wells as alternatives to MCT. This interest has been driven by the advanced material growth and processing technology available for the III-V material system.