QWIP (Quantum Well Infrared Photodetector)
Principle of Operation:Infrared radiation photoionize the trapped carries in the quantum wells. The photo excited carrier will get swept away by the externally applied electric field producing a photocurrent.
Comments:
Inexpensive, easy to fabricate, possible to do ypical narrow band (dL/L~10%), two-band, three-bands, four-bands, and broad-band (dL ~6 micron) detector arrays
Companies/Institutions:
JPL
NASA/Goddard
Rockwell
Links/References/Papers
JPL QWIP Page
NASA Goddard
Material:
GaAs/AlxGa1-xAs
Figures of Merit:
NEDT (NEDT) (typically ~ 40 mK)
DI/I ~10%
Operating Characteristics:
Operating temperature: 77-50K
Wavelength: 3-20 um
QE: 32%
Technological Capabilities:
Arrays? Yes 1Kx1K
Flight Heritage? Yes
Space Qualified? Yes
TRL Level: ?
Commercially Availible: No
Applications: IR imaging
