Detector material and sensitivity analysis for space-based infrared sensors

Abstract:

The ultimate detection performance of HgCdTe, quantum well (QW) and extrinsic Si detectors under low temperatures is analyzed. The theoretical limits of the internal photon response for the three detectors are compared. The materials of space-based detectors in space tracking and surveillance system (STSS) are discussed. The results show that among three detectors, the best performance can be obtained from HgCdTe detectors under 40 K in the mid-long wave infrared (MLWIR) and long wave infrared (LWIR) spectr...