Trends in Performance Limits of the HOT Infrared Photodetectors

The cryogenic cooling of infrared (IR) photon detectors optimized for the mid- (MWIR, 3-5 mu m) and long wavelength (LWIR, 8-14 mu m) range is required to reach high performance. This is a major obstacle for more extensive use of IR technology. Focal plane arrays (FPAs) based on thermal detectors are presently used in staring thermal imagers operating at room temperature. However, their performance is modest; thermal detectors exhibit slow response, and the multispectral detection is difficult to reach. Initial efforts to develop high operating temperature (HOT) photodetectors were focused on HgCdTe photoconductors and photoelectromagnetic detectors. The technological efforts have been lately directed on advanced heterojunction photovoltaic HgCdTe detectors. This paper presents the several approaches to increase the photon-detectors room-temperature performance. Various kinds of materials are considered: HgCdTe, type-II A(III)B(V) superlattices, two-dimensional materials and colloidal quantum dots.

Automated summary

The cryogenic cooling of infrared photon detectors optimized for mid and long wavelength range is essential for high performance, but also limits their widespread use. Current focal plane arrays based on thermal detectors operate at room temperature, but have modest performance and slow response. Recent research has focused on advanced photovoltaic HgCdTe detectors to improve room-temperature performance.