Integrating systems parameters in infrared detector design

Quantum Well Infrared Photodectors (QWIPs) are no longer only subjects of academic research but are valid candidates for practical IR imaging applications satisfying the needs of agencies such as the US DoD, NASA, NRO etc. For large scale IR imaging systems, QWIPs are integrated into large format focal plane arrays. For the design of large scale QWIP FPAs, many system parameters must be considered in addition to the bandgap engineering aspects of the quantum heterostructure comprising the fundamental QWIP unit. In this work, we take a systems engineering approach and identify the main subsystems in the design flow of a QWIP based IR detector system. We further illustrate how the performance parameters associated with these subsystems can be incorporated into the heterostructure design via appropriate cost functions that are optimized in an iterative fashion.