SBIR-STTR Award

Two-dimensional (2-D) midwave and longwave infrared (MWIR/LWIR) emitter arrays are of great importance in numerous military and commercial applications, including infrared (IR) scene generation and infrared detection system emulation, IR radiometric duplication and counter measurement, medical applications and spectroscopic trace-gas sensing. Existing technologies have limited dynamic range. This SBIR Phase I proposal aims to develop a new type of plasmonic photonic antenna (PPA) coupled MWIR/LWIR light emitting diode (LED) array with low cross-talk, high frame rate of > 400 Hz and large dynamic range of over 2,000 K. In the Phase I project, we will demonstrate the feasibility of the PPA-coupled MWIR/LWIR LED, including the epi-growth of the MWIR/LWIR LED structures, fabricating a 2x2 PPA-enhanced MWIR/LWIR LED array, and characterizing its performance the external quantum efficiency (QE), the dynamic range, the inter-pixel cross talk, and the thermal heating. In Phase II, we will develop a prototype of a large-format (4kx4k) MWIR/LWIR LED array and perform initial commercialization of the proposed highly efficient MWIR/LWIR LED emitter technology. (Approved for Public Release 15-MDA-8482 (17 November 15))

Two-dimensional (2-D) midwave and longwave infrared (MWIR/LWIR) emitter arrays are of great importance in numerous military and commercial applications, including IR scene generation and infrared detection system emulation, IR radiometric duplication and counter measurement, and medicine and spectroscopic trace-gas sensing. Existing technologies has limited dynamic range and substrate heating problems due to the low efficiency of existing technologies. This SBIR project aims to develop a new type of plasmonic photonic antenna (PPA) coupled MWIR LED array with high efficiency and low cross-talk. In the Phase I project, we have demonstrated the feasibility of the PPA-coupled MWIR LED with over 10 times PPA enhanced LED emission efficiency and negative luminescence for large dynamic range. In Phase II, we will develop a prototype of the PPA enhanced 2-D large-format MWIR LED array with significantly reduce substrate heating, low cross-talk, high frame rate of > 400 Hz and large dynamic range of over 2,000 K. The MWIR LED array will be hybridized with a read-in integrated circuit (RIIC) for the system test and performance evaluation. Approved for Public Release | 16-MDA-8951 (15 December 16)