Carbon nanotube-based noncryogenic cooled multispectrum focal plane array

Abstract

This paper presents the development of non-cryogenic-cooling spectrum infrared (IR) focal plane array (FPA) using a single carbon nanotube (CNT). The FPA consists of an array of CNT-based photodiodes. The CNT-based photodiodes can be made by our nanomanufacturing process and band gaps of CNTs can be tuned precisely by the electric breakdown system. As a result, the CNT-based photodiodes with high sensitivity at a special wavelength can be achieved. In this paper, design, fabrication and experimental results of the CNT-based IR photodiode are reported. The results indicate that CNTs are very sensitive of middle-wave IR (MWIR) signal at room temperature. Moreover, the performances of the photodiodes have been evaluated. These results suggest that CNTs can be used in high throughput sensing applications. © 2010 Copyright SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering.