Compact 128 InSb focal plane assembly for thermal imaging

A compact focal plane assembly which consists of a linear array of 128 InSb photodiodes and two Si-MOSFET multiplexer IC chips has been developed. The design and fabrication of the photodiode array, the readout circuit on the focal plane, the hybrid packaging, and the operation of the focal plane assembly are described. A small InSb pixel size of 60 microns is used, and the total length of the array is 7.60 mm. A measured radiometric resolution of 0.04 K NE Delta T is obtained for a 300 K target with a simple circuit configuration under the TV-compatible operation.