Future Trends in Microelectronics: Up the Nano Creek

The Future of Single- to Multi-Band Detector Technologies

M. N. Abedin

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, U.S.A.

I. Bhat

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, NY 12180, U.S.A.

S. D. Gunapala, S. V. Bandara

Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA 91109, U.S.A.

T. F. Refaat

Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, U.S.A.

S. P. Sandford and U. N. Singh

NASA Langley Research Center, Hampton, VA 23681, U.S.A.

1.   Introduction

Using classical optical components such as filters, prisms, and gratings to separate the desired wavelengths before they reach the detectors results in complex optical systems composed of heavy components. A simpler approach might rely on a single optical system and a detector that responds separately to each wavelength band. Therefore, the development and fabrication of reliable detector arrays that respond to multiple wavelength regions has been a continuous endeavor. In this chapter, we will review the state-of-the-art single and multicolor detector technologies over a wide spectral range, for use in space-based and airborne remote sensing applications. Our discussion will be focused on current and most recently developed focal plane arrays (FPAs), in addition to emphasizing future development in UV-to-far infrared (IR) multicolor FPA detectors for next generation space-based instruments to measure water vapor and greenhouse gases.

Multi-band detector technology is progressing towards a number of exciting applications, such as remote sensing ...