Princeton Infrared Technologies awarded AFRL SBIR Phase II contract for coherent LADAR detectors

Princeton Infrared Technologies Inc (PIRT) of Monmouth Junction, NJ, USA - which specializes in shortwave-infrared (SWIR) linescan cameras, visible-SWIR science cameras, and 1D and 2D imaging arrays based on indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs) - has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) that will fund development of detector arrays for coherent laser detection and ranging (LADAR).

Princeton Infrared Technologies will focus on developing detector arrays using multi quantum well (MQW) materials enabling detection at 0.9-2.4µm with low dark current and high quantum efficiency. This will enable a new generation of high-resolution cameras that can image at, or near, room temperature while allowing high sensitivity in the shortwave-infrared spectrum. The new arrays will be high speed, enabling next-generation coherent LADAR using arrays versus single-element detectors.

The SBIR Phase II project is a $750,000, two-year effort that will concentrate on new material development. Princeton Infrared Technologies and its’ subcontractors will be conducting research on the development of new MQW materials, in addition to strained superlattice materials manufactured on indium phosphide (InP) substrates. The R&D work will be supported by the AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.

“Utilizing multi quantum well materials will enable high-sensitivity detectors to image beyond what lattice-matched InGaAs detectors can detect in the SWIR range,” says PIRT’s president Martin H. Ettenberg Ph.D. “These next-generation detector arrays will benefit long-range LADAR used by the Air Force to identify targets. Current systems require cryogenic cooling while these materials will not, thus vastly lowering costs, size, weight and power,” he adds. “The material development will also be useful in the commercial sector for spectroscopy and industrial imaging.”

Tags: SWIR cameras IR detectors

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