HgCdTe Avalanche Photodiode Array Detectors with Single Photon Sensitivity and Integrated Detector Cooler Assemblies for Space Lidar Applications

[摘要] A HgCdTe avalanche photodiode (APD) focal plane array assembly with linear mode photon-counting capability has been developed for space lidar applications. An integrated detector cooler assembly (IDCA) has been built using a miniature Stirling cooler. A microlens array has been included to improve the fill factor. The HgCdTe APD has a spectral response from 0.9- to 4.3-μm wavelengths, a photon detection efficiency as high as 70%, and a dark count rate of <250 kHz at 110 K. The mass of the IDCA is 0.8 kg and the total electrical power consumption is about 7 W. The HgCdTe APD arrays have been characterized at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. A series of environmental tests have been conducted for the IDCAs, including vibration, thermal cycling, and thermal vacuum tests. A description of the device and the test results at NASA are given in this paper.

[发布日期] 2019-06-17

[学科分类] 空间科学

[关键词] ABSORPTION SPECTRA;AEROSPACE ENVIRONMENTS;BACKSCATTERING;COMPRESSED GAS;CRYOGENIC COOLING;DYNAMIC RANGE;ELECTRO-OPTICS;ENVIRONMENTAL TESTS;EXTRATERRESTRIAL RADIATION;FOCAL PLANE DEVICES;INFRARED RADAR;MERCURY CADMIUM TELLURIDES;OPTICAL RADAR;PHOTONS;STIRLING CYCLE;TECHNOLOGY UTILIZATION;THERMAL VACUUM TESTS