New trends in infrared detector technology

Abstract Recent efforts in IR detector research have been directed towards improving the performance of single element devices, large electronically scanned arrays and higher operating temperature. Another important aim is to make IR detectors cheaper and more convenient to use. New trends in photon and thermal IR detector technologies are discussed: HgCdTe photodiodes, Schottky-barrier photoemissive devices, GaAs/AlGaAs intersubband quantum well photoconductors and ways to improve the performance of near room-temperature detectors. Also the latest achievements in micromachined bolometer arrays are presented. Comparison of different types of detectors with present stage of HgCdTe technology achievements is undertaken.

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