Extending hyperspectral capabilities with dualband infrared focal plane arrays

Dualband infrared focal plane arrays (FPA) were developed originally for multi-spectral imaging applications, where their advantages in compactness and band-to-band pixel registration, relative to conventional multispectral imagers, were recognized. As dualband FPA architecture is matured for quantum well and mercury cadmium telluride focal plane arrays, and becomes within the grasp of strained layer superlattice technology, applications in addition to multi-waveband imaging come to mind. In various hyperspectral applications that employ gratings, the different grating orders can sometimes be paired with the wavebands of the dual- (or multi-) waveband FPA, allowing high efficiency hyperspectral imaging over very broad wavelength regions. Exploiting the "third dimension" of FPA detecting layers for dual- and multi-waveband capability proved its usefulness for multi-waveband imaging; this paper will show similar advantages for hyperspectral applications and describe such applications.