QWIP Status In Sweden

IRnova has a long history of producing QWIPs for the LWIR band. In this paper we give an overview of the current products (FPAs with 640x480 and 384x288 pixels respectively, and 25 µm pitch) and their performance. The superior stability and uniformity inherent to detectors based on III/V material system will be demonstrated. The uniformity and reproducibility of the growth of multi quantum well structures is mandatory for efficient production of QWIPs. The results of the growth by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy show that thickness uniformity over a wafer is less than 0.9 %. The reproducibility of the same parameter is ± 3 Å from run to run. Results from the LWIR detector with 384x288 pixels show no deterioration of spatial NETD over time. Moreover, the NUC corrected image remains stable after repeated detector temperature cycles. The production statistics of more than 500 detectors with 640x480 pixels reveal a mean operability of 99.87 %. Furthermore, an IDCA specifically designed for hand-held systems used for the detection of SF₆ gas using a 0.5 W cooler will be presented. The detector format is 320x256 pixels with 30 µm pitch using the ISC9705 read out circuit. The peak wavelength is at 10.55 µm and the NETD is 22 mK.