SBIR-STTR Award

There is a growing need in multi-spectral focal plane array detectors for advanced missile seekers with better target discrimination and identification. Multicolor capabilities, high detectivity, and quick response are highly important for advance infrared sensor systems. However, such photodetectors require cryogenic temperature and are expensive. Less expensive uncooled bolometric detectors have no multicolor capability and are less sensitive. NanoCVD has been selecting the approach in which the incident electromagnetic radiation is detected by nanoantennas, and small nanosensors coupled with antennas transform the electromagnetic energy into useful signals. Because of directional selectivity, cooling such detector is not required. The Phase-I objective is to demonstrate nanoscale device technology through R&D of innovative nanoscale imaging infrared devices, namely, antenna-coupled and/or dielectric rod antenna (DRA) arrays for use in medium and long wavelength infrared staring missile seekers. In Phase-II, NanoCVD will further optimize fabrication process, carry out system design, and fabricate uncooled DRA-coupled infrared detector with high-speed and multicolor capability to test validity of the analysis and predictions made in Phase-I. Successful development of uncooled nanoscale infrared high-speed sensors in accordance with the proposed effort will open up a wide range of applications ranging from missile seeker to driver's night vision enhancement.

Keywords:
Uncooled, Infrared, Sensor, Photodetector, Nanoscale, Multi-Spectral, Missile, Microbolometer

There is a growing need for multi-spectral infrared detectors for advanced missile seekers with better target discrimination and identification. Multicolor capabilities, high detectivity, and quick response are highly important for advanced infrared sensor systems. Photodiodes made of narrow-band semiconductors are widely used in such applications. However, the photodiodes require cryogenic temperatures and are expensive. Less expensive uncooled bolometric detectors are less sensitive, slower, and have no multicolor capability. Based upon the detailed analysis and findings of Phase I, NanoCVD proposes developing uncooled high-speed detectors consisting of a microstrip-patch-antenna or dielectric-rod-antenna in conjunction with a nanoscale metal-insulator-metal tunnel diode (MIMTD), which can be efficiently used in LWIR and VLWIR staring missile seekers and commercial applications. In these assemblies, a microantenna amplifies the incident electromagnetic radiation, and the induced IR frequency voltage is rectified by the MIMTD generating a useful signal. NanoCVD has a strong capability to complete successfully the proposed project by combining efforts of both academic researchers and engineers having expertise in both ultrahigh frequency RF applications and nanotechnology. Successful development of uncooled nanoscale infrared high-speed sensors, in accordance with the proposed effort, will open up a variety of applications ranging from missile seeker to driver's night vision enhancement.

Keywords:
Uncooled, Infrared, Microstrip Patch Antenna, Photodetector, Nanoscale, Multi-Spectral, Missile, Mim Tunnel Diode