SBIR-STTR Award

Next generation midwave infrared (MWIR) (3 to 5 micron) FPA’s will need to be able to operate at temperatures exceeding 170K with similar performance to InSb FPA’s. The advantages of the increased operating temperature include; reduced power consumption to under 1W, extended the camera operating time between servicing to over 10 years, and reduces the FPA cooling time to less than 30 seconds. One of the most promising new technologies is based on a novel concept called the nBn. The nBn design essentially eliminates Shockley-Read-Hall generation currents and is a diffusion limited device. The result is greatly reduced dark current and noise, compared to other midwave infrared detectors, such as p-n photodiodes. In addition, the nBn devices are passivation free which results in excellent uniformity and operability. This makes nBn ideally suited for FPAs and subsequently low power MWIR camera systems.

Keywords:
Low-Power, Mid Wave Infrared(Mwir), High Operating Temperature (Hot) Camera, Nbn, Infrared Camera, Hand Held, Night Vision

The objective of the SBIR Phase II program will be to further develop and fabricate nBn type hand held MWIR cameras that demonstrate power consumption ~1W through utilization of high operating temperature nBn detectors, low-power micro-coolers, and low power imaging electronics. In Phase I nBn Technologies successfully demonstrated the abilities of the HOT nBn type FPA’s. We further proved that a low power camera using nBn detector is feasible. Phase II nBn type HOT MWIR cameras will have the similar imaging performance to InSb and HgCdTe hand held cameras, but because of their high operating temperature(HOT) (180K) capabilities, the overall power consumption will be reduced from ~10W to less then 1W. HOT nBn camera systems will also demonstrate lower cost of ownership and lifetimes exceeding 400% of current InSb camera systems. The primary end user of the nBn camera is anticipated to be infantry and reconnaissance personnel. The decreased power requirements of the nBn camera will aid the warfighter by reducing the amount of batteries needed to successfully complete night missions. This will increase soldier mobility, mission duration, and of course the probability of mission success.

Keywords:
Nbn, Hand-Held Camera, Night-Vision, Mwir, Fpa, Low Power