HOT all the way from SWIR to VLWIR at AIM: present status of MCT-based small pitch infrared detector arrays for higher operating temperatures and the shape of things to come

AIM as one of the global leaders in higher operating temperatures (HOT) mercury cadmium telluride (MCT)-based infrared detectors presents its status on small pixel pitch short wavelength infrared (SWIR), mid wavelength infrared (MWIR), long wavelength infrared (LWIR) and very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) focal plane detector arrays (FPA) and gives a glimpse of the near future in the field. As of now, pixel operabilities exceeding 99.7% and excellent radiometric performance are attained in the measurement under typical operating conditions and at increased detector operating temperatures of 235K in the SWIR, 170K in the MWIR, 110K in the LWIR, and 70K in the VLWIR. Pixel pitches range between 7.5μm and 15μm. Thus, infrared applications with reduced size, weight, power dissipation and cost can be served. We outline the essential technological contributions of material science and device processing making this evolutionary step possible.