Advancements in HgCdTeVLWIR materials

Raytheon Vision Systems has achieved significant improvements in VLWIR (very long wavelength infrared) detector materials. These small bandgap detector materials are susceptible to tunneling of carriers across the bandgap via either band-to-band or trap-assisted tunneling phenomena. RVS' new procedures reduce exposure of the highly sensitive p-n junction to possible contamination sources during growth and processing. This reduction in impurities reduces the tunneling component of the detector current and yields high quality detectors out to the VLWIR range. Evidence of a highly uniform detector fabrication process is detailed within spanning the LWIR to VLWIR wavelength range.