Improved HgCdTe detectors with novel antireflection coating

R. Sachidananda Babu; Kelley Hu; Sridhar Manthripragada; Robert J. Martineau; Carl A. Kotecki; F. A. Peters; Andre S. Burgess; Danny J. Krebs; David Brent Mott; Audrey J. Ewin; Avery I. Miles; Trang L. Nguyen; Peter K. Shu

doi:10.1117/12.255155

22 October 1996 Improved HgCdTe detectors with novel antireflection coating

R. Sachidananda Babu, Kelley Hu, Sridhar Manthripragada, Robert J. Martineau, Carl A. Kotecki, F. A. Peters, Andre S. Burgess, Danny J. Krebs, David Brent Mott, Audrey J. Ewin, Avery I. Miles, Trang L. Nguyen, Peter K. Shu

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 2816, Infrared Detectors for Remote Sensing: Physics, Materials, and Devices; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255155
Event: SPIE's 1996 International Symposium on Optical Science, Engineering, and Instrumentation, 1996, Denver, CO, United States

Abstract

The composite infrared spctrometer (CIRS) is an important instrument for the upcoming Cassini mission for sensing infrared (IR) radiation from the Saturanian planetary system. We have delivered a linear, ten element, mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) photoconductive detector array for use on focal plane 3 (FP3), which is responsible for detecting radiation from the 9.1 micrometer to 16.6 micrometer wavelength range. Reliable HgCdTe detectors require robust passivation, a low-stress zinc sulfide (ZnS) anti-reflection (AR) coating with good adhesion, and a proper optical cavity design to smooth out the resonance in the detector spectral response. During the development of CIRS flight array, we have demonstrated the potential of using an in-situ interfacial layer, such as SiN_x, between ZnS and the anodic oxide. Such an interfacial layer drastically improves the adhesion between the ZnS and oxide, without degrading the minority carrier lifetime. We have also demonstrated the feasibility of applying a SiN_x 'rain coat' layer over the ZnS to prevent moisture and other chemicals from attacking the AR coating, thus improving the long term reliability. This also enables device operation in a hazardous environment. The alumina/epoxy/HgCdTe/oxide/ZnS structure is a complicated multi-cavity optical system. We have developed an extensive device simulation, which enables us to make the optimal choice of individual cavity thickness for minimizing the resonance and maximizing the quantum efficiency. We have also used 0.05 micrometer alumina powder loaded epoxy to minimize the reflections at the epoxy/HgCdTe interface, thus minimizing the resonance.

Citation Download Citation

R. Sachidananda Babu, Kelley Hu, Sridhar Manthripragada, Robert J. Martineau, Carl A. Kotecki, F. A. Peters, Andre S. Burgess, Danny J. Krebs, David Brent Mott, Audrey J. Ewin, Avery I. Miles, Trang L. Nguyen, and Peter K. Shu "Improved HgCdTe detectors with novel antireflection coating", Proc. SPIE 2816, Infrared Detectors for Remote Sensing: Physics, Materials, and Devices, (22 October 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.255155

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available