Very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) Hg:Cd:Te photovoltaic detectors for remote sensing and ballistic missile defense applications

This paper reveals critical design parameters of VLWIR HgCdTe photovoltaic (PV) detectors best suited for remote sensing and ballistic missile defense applications. Infrared sensors using photoconductive (PC) devices have limited performance capabilities. PV HgCdTe detectors offer much higher impedance and lower low frequency noise compared to PC detectors and do not require DC bias power. The compositional control and optimum detector architecture of VLWIR detectors are identified to achieve very large cutoff wavelength capability, most ideal for remote sensing and BMD applications.