Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Cooled Bolometer IR Monolithic FPA, Phase I
Project Introduction
Future space-based observatories imaging in the 4-40 ìm spectral regime will be passively cooled. The objective of this research effort is to demonstrate near theoretical performance of bolometer-based infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) covering the 4-40 ìm wavelength region by operating the FPA at reduced temperature. Amorphous silicon-alloy resistive bolomoters exhibit increased temperature coefficient of resistance when cooled below room temperature and are well suited for operation over the 30K-200K detector temperature range. Detector process optimization will allow performance levels close to theoretical limits. The cooled bolometer is compatible with advanced readout technologies, such as switched capacitor integrators, offered by Black Forest Engineering. The amorphous silicon-alloy bolometer process, optimized on Phase I for cryogenic operation, will be a basis for future large formant monolithic 1024x768 format FPAs fabricated on Phase II to support NASA passively cooled imaging applications and DoD/commercial cryo-cooled systems.
More »
Anticipated Benefits
Potential NASA Commercial Applications: The cooled amorphous silicon alloy FPA achieves high performance with reduced thermal isolation. This allows high performance to be achieved with a fast thermal time constant and resultant fast frame rates. A micro-scanned version of the cooled bolometer FPA (optimized for 120-240 frames per second while maintaining high sensitivity) is ideal for micro-scanned forward looking infrared (FLIR) applications where high resolution is required with small optical assemblies.
More »
Primary U.S. Work Locations and Key Partners
| Organizations Performing Work | Role | Type | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(JPL)
|
Lead Organization | NASA Center | Pasadena, California |
| Black Forest Engineering, LLC | Supporting Organization | Industry | Colorado Springs, Colorado |
Primary U.S. Work Locations
-
California
-
Colorado
Project Library
Share this Project
Organizational Responsibility
Responsible Mission Directorate:
- Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD)
Lead Center / Facility:
- Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
Responsible Program:
- Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Tech Transfer
Project Management
Program Director:
Program Manager:
Principal Investigator:
Project Duration
Start: Jan 2007
End: Jul 2007
Technology Areas
Primary:
- TX08 Sensors and Instruments
- TX08.1 Remote Sensing Instruments/Sensors
- TX08.1.1 Detectors and Focal Planes
Suggest an Edit
Recommend changes and additions to this project record.
This is a historic project that was completed before the creation of TechPort on October 1, 2012. Available data has been included. This record may contain less data than currently active projects.