A super-pixel QWIP focal plane array for imaging multiple waveband temperature sensor

• Published in: Infrared physics & technology 2009-11, Vol.52 (6), p.403-407
• Main Authors: Soibel, A., Bandara, Sumith V., Ting, David Z., Liu, John K., Mumolo, Jason M., Rafol, Sir B., Johnson, William R., Wilson, Daniel W., Gunapala, Sarath D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Bolometer; infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave receivers and detectors; Communication, education, history, and philosophy; Electronics; Exact sciences and technology; Infrared; Infrared FPA; Infrared, submillimeter wave, microwave and radiowave instruments, equipment and techniques; Instruments, apparatus, components and techniques common to several branches of physics and astronomy; Optoelectronic devices; Physics; Physics literature and publications; QWIP; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices
• ISSN: 1350-4495; 1879-0275
• DOI: 10.1016/j.infrared.2009.05.010

The multi-waveband temperature sensor (MWTS) array, in which each super-pixel (2 × 2 pixel cell) operates at four distinct thermal infrared (IR) wavebands is being developed. Using this high spatial resolution, four-band thermal IR band detector array, accurate temperature measurements on the surface of an object can be made without prior knowledge of its exact emissivity. This multi-band detector involves intersubband transition in III–V semiconductor-based quantum layered structures. Each detector stack absorbs photons within the specified wavelength band while allowing the transmission of photons in other spectral bands, thus efficiently permitting multi-band detection. This produces multiple, spectrally resolved images of the scene that are recorded simultaneously in a single snapshot on the FPA. From the multispectral images and calibration information about the system, computational algorithms are used to evaluate the temperature on the surface of a target.