Measuring extended red sensitivity in a 1.7μm-cutoff HgCdTe detector array

Ryan C. Terrien, Andrew J. Monson, Suvrath Mahadevan, Chad Bender, Samuel P. Halverson, Larry Ramsey

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infrared detectors with cutoff wavelengths of ∼ 1.7 μm have much lower sensitivity to thermal background contamination than those with longer cutoff wavelengths. This low sensitivity offers the attractive possibility of reducing the need for fully cryogenic systems for YJH-band work, offering the potential for "warm-pupil instrumentation that nonetheless reduces detected thermal background to the level of dark current. However, residual sensitivity beyond the cutoff wavelength is not well characterized, and may preclude the implementation of such warm-pupil instruments. We describe an experiment to evaluate the long-wavelength sensitivity tail of a 1.7 μm-cutoff HAWAII-2RG array using a thermal blocking filter. Our results suggest the possibility of measurable red sensitivity beyond ∼ 2 μm. Ongoing improvements will confirm and refine this measurement. The thermal blocking filter offers the prospect of warm-pupil NIR instrument operation, which is particularly valuable for cost-effective and efficient testing systems: it has facilitated NIR detector characterization and will enable crucial laboratory tests of laser frequency comb calibration systems and other NIR calibration sources.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationHigh Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VII
EditorsAndrew D. Holland, James Beletic
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510602090
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016
EventHigh Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VII - Edinburgh, United Kingdom
Duration: Jun 26 2016Jun 29 2016

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume9915
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Other

OtherHigh Energy, Optical, and Infrared Detectors for Astronomy VII
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityEdinburgh
Period6/26/166/29/16

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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