SBIR Phase I: High Performance Thermal Imaging for Nondestructive Testing

*** 小行星9760645 该小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第一阶段项目利用带隙工程光子探测技术实现高性能环境温度热成像，用于各种工业应用，如无损检测、质量控制和工艺优化。 尽管诸如微测辐射热计之类的热探测器在性能和成本降低方面取得了快速进展，但它们受到低探测率、缓慢响应时间和光谱非特异性的限制。 快速红外成像很难实现。 锑化铟砷（InAs 1-xSbx），生长的分子束外延，，将被用作基本的光电二极管材料。 该设计抑制了俄歇噪声，实现了更高的探测率。 在类似的材料系统中，已经发现高探测率比商业热探测器大一个数量级。 第一阶段将强调材料制造和非制冷运行的可行性论证。 第二阶段将优化器件结构并制作二维成像阵列。 非制冷红外成像阵列有望在无损检测、医疗诊断、工业过程控制、导航和污染监测等方面获得商业应用。降低制造和运营成本可显著扩大商业市场。 ***

*** 9760645 Chow This Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) Phase I project utilizes bandgap-engineered photon detection for high performance ambient temperature thermal imaging for a variety of industrial applications such as nondestructive testing, quality control, and process optimization. Although thermal detectors such as micro-bolometers have seen rapid progress in performance and cost reduction, they are limited by low detectivity, sluggish response time, and spectral non-specifivity. Fast IR imaging is difficult to achieve. Indium arsenic antimonide (InAs1-xSbx), grown by molecular beam epitaxy, , will be used as the basic photodiode material. The design suppresses Auger noise to achieve much higher detectivity. In similar material systems high detectivity has been found that is greater than commercial thermal detectors by an order of magnitude. Phase I will emphasize material fabrication and feasibility demonstration of uncooled operation. Phase II would optimize the device structure and fabricate two-dimensional imaging arrays. Uncooled IR imaging arrays are expected to have commercial applications in nondestructive testing, medical diagnostics, industrial process control, navigation, and pollution monitoring. Reduced fabrication and operating costs may expand commercial markets significantly. ***