Enhanced broadband (11-15 µm) QWIP FPAs for space applications

The European Space Agency is currently funding a project led by Alcatel-Thales III-V Lab, intended to develop high performance, broadband (11-15μm) Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs) and optimised read-out circuits for Earth Observation and Planetary Science missions. In this talk we will present an exhaustive study of the performance achieved on QWIP layers designed for dispersive spectro-imagers (narrowband detectors) as well as Fourier Transform spectro-imagers (broadband detectors). The performance is calculated based on the electro-optical characteristics of the QWIP layers, the technical requirements and the read-out characteristics coming from the predevelopment phase. In the read-out predevelopment phase SPICE simulation transistor model parameters have been extracted valid for an adequate circuit simulation at the required operating temperature range. Different read-out architectures have been studied to attain the final demonstrator’s requirements. As a result of this study, two different pixel topologies have been retained which will be implemented as 128x256 sections in the 256x256 pixel demonstrator. The roadmap for the next project steps will also be presented.