Low-noise performance and dark-current measurements on the 256 x 256 NICMOS3 FPA

摘要: The NICMOS3 infrared focal plane array (FPA), which was designed as a Hubble Telescope upgrade device, provides excellent low-noise images in the 1 - 2.5 micrometers (SWIR) band. Both detector and readout multiplexer of this hybrid FPA are optimized for low- noise operation. NICMOS is fabricated HgCdTe grown on sapphire substrate (PACE-I material). very rugged good thermal contraction match to silicon multiplexer, producing reliability. composition adjusted yield response cutoff at limits background from atmosphere telescope. quantum efficiency detectors %GRT 50% over 2.4 range. dark current < eMIN/s 77 K, unprecedented an IR detector. switched-FET CMOS design with single source-follower per unit cell. photocurrent integrated each diode, diode voltage level can be read nondestructively, or reset after readout. This flexibility operation makes it possible generate 12 Hz data frame rate optimize exposures many thousands seconds. With before reset, off-chip correlated double sampling implemented reduce 30 e-.