Radiation effects in HgCdTe IR detectors
The HgCdTe photodiodes are an attractive choice for space surveillance infrared (IR) systems, since these detectors can achieve high levels of performance at elevated temperatures, thereby reducing cooling requirements. Such sensors are also required to operate and survive in the natural and weapon-enhanced space environment. For this reason, radiation effects in HgCdTe IR detectors is an active area of investigation. The authors report here the current level of understanding of total-dose and persistent-dose-rate effects. Neutron-induced damage is not discussed as the intrinsic density of defects in HgCdTe is so high that neutron sources that could cause a significant change in detector properties are currently not available. Prompt pulse effects are similarly not discussed as hardness against prompt pulse upset is accomplished at the sensor level and is not a driver in detector technology development. No evidence has yet been shown of permanent prompt pulse response in HgCdTe detectors. The HgCdTe appears to have a promising future for MWIR space surveillance applications as long as adequate noise mitigation methods can be developed to deal with the persistent-dose-rate effects. Actual hardening investigations of LWIR photovoltaic arrays have not really been undertaken yet; such advances that have occurred have been the side products of developments addressed for other reasons.
- OSTI ID:
- 5609437
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-880601--
- Journal Information:
- Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA), Journal Name: Transactions of the American Nuclear Society; (USA) Vol. 56; ISSN TANSA; ISSN 0003-018X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
BARYONS
COSMIC RADIATION
DEFECTS
DOSES
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRONS
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
GAMMA RADIATION
HADRONS
INFRARED SPECTROMETERS
IONIZING RADIATIONS
LEPTONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
NEUTRONS
NUCLEONS
PERFORMANCE
PHOTODIODES
PROTONS
RADIATION DOSES
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES
SEMICONDUCTOR DIODES
SPECTROMETERS