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Photodetector focal plane array systems and methods

a technology of focal plane array and photodetector, applied in the field of imaging systems and methods, to achieve the effects of reducing dark current, increasing speed, and improving sensitivity

Active Publication Date: 2016-06-30
THE UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL +1
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  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This approach significantly enhances light collection efficiency and AOV, achieving up to 50-60% efficiency advantage and AOVs greater than 20 degrees, outperforming bare structures and COTS microlenses, while maintaining reduced dark current and increased frequency response.

Problems solved by technology

However, in terms of the parameters required for imaging applications, the proposed structures over perform bare structures and structures equipped with COT microlenses.

Method used

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  • Photodetector focal plane array systems and methods
  • Photodetector focal plane array systems and methods
  • Photodetector focal plane array systems and methods

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Embodiment Construction

[0021]By way of enabling background, prior work has taken place in three main areas: i) developing the general concept of photonic nanojets; ii) developing techniques for the self-assembly of microspheres; and iii) developing micro-assembly technologies, such as vacuum or suction tweezers and grippers.

[0022]Photonic nanojets. It has been proposed that dielectric spheres can be used for obtaining tightly focused beams with lateral dimensions which can be smaller than the diffraction limit. Such tightly focused beams have been termed “photonic nanojets.” These photonic nanojets appear for a wide range of diameters of microspheres, typically in a 2λ<D<100λ range, with the refractive index contrast relative to the background typically in a 1.4<n<2.0 range. Many applications of photonic nanojets have been proposed, including polarization filters based on chains of spheres and focusing single-mode and multi-mode microprobes. More recently, an application of photonic nanojets for focusing ...

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PUM

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Abstract

A photodetector focal plane array system, comprising: a substrate comprising a plurality of photosensitive regions; and a microcomponent disposed adjacent to each of the plurality of photosensitive regions operable for receiving incident radiation and directing a photonic nanojet into the associated photosensitive region. Optionally, each of the microcomponents comprises one of a microsphere and a microcylinder. Each of the microcomponents has a diameter of between ˜λ and ˜100λ, where λ is the wavelength of the incident radiation. Each of the microcomponents is manufactured from a dielectric or semiconductor material. Each of the microcomponents has an index of refraction of between ˜1.4 and ˜3.5. Optionally, high-index components can be embedded in a lower index material. The microcomponents form an array of microcomponents disposed adjacent to the substrate.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to imaging systems and methods, such as military and civil infrared (IR) imaging systems and methods and the like. More specifically, the present invention relates to photodetector focal plane array (FPA) systems and methods for use with such imaging systems and methods.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to FPAs. FPAs are widely used in military and civil IR imaging systems and the like, such as systems for guidance and control, target acquisition, surveillance, laser range-finding, fiber-optic and free-space communications, thermal imaging, and other applications. More specifically, the present invention addresses the problem of designing FPAs that are capable of detecting weak optical images with a sufficiently large angle-of-view (AOV).[0003]For IR applications, the photosensitive material of FPAs is typically fabricated from narrow-band gap semiconductors, such as Hg1-xCdxTe...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01L27/146
CPCH01L27/14627H01L27/14685H01L27/14649G02B13/0085H01L27/14625
Inventor ASTRATOV, VASILY N.ALLEN, JR., KENNETH W.LIMBEROPOULOS, NICHOLAOS I.URBAS, AUGUSTINEDURAN, JOSHUA M.
Owner THE UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL
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