Nu-Trek is proposing to demonstrate the Chestnut sensor, an emerging class of bolometer-based uncooled infrared (IR) sensors, that will exceed all solicitation requirements. The Chestnut sensor is derived from Nu-Treks validated Chestnut readout integrated circuit (ROIC) and industry partners high-resistivity, high-performance next generation bolometers. The Chestnut sensors high detectivity and low NEdT enables performance approaching that of conventional cooled IR imagers. The sensors compact form factor is enabling for SWaP constrained platforms.
Benefit: Chestnut will exceed all Navy requirements, has 1/4th the NEdT of current bolometer-based sensors, and supports unlimited array size. The sensor is based off of existing and validated components enabling a technology readiness level of 6 when demonstrated at the culmination of Phase II. A key feature of Nu-Treks Chestnut design is limiting ROIC noise so that it will not impact focal plane array (FPA) performance.
Keywords: ROIC, ROIC, uncooled LWIR, Infrared Sensor, fpa, high Detectivity D*, Bolometer, small pixel, low SWAP-C
