Infrared Detectors for Ground-Based and Space-Based Astronomy Applications

This paper will review the state-of-the-art infrared detectors at the Raytheon Infrared Center of Excellence (IRCoE) for both ground-based and space-based astronomy applications. Performance data will be presented on 0.5 to 5.0 microi Indium Antimonide (InSb) arrays and 0.9 to 5.0 micron Mercury Cadmium Telluride (HCT or HgCdTe) arrays. In addition, performance data on 2 to 28 micron Arsenic-doped Silicon (Si:As) impurity band conductor (IBC) arrays will be presented. These very high performance detector arrays offer another important window into the universe for ground- and space-based astronomical work. Data will include performance data on InSb and Si:As IBC arrays for the Infrared Array Camera (IRAC) instrument on NASA'S Space Infrared Telescope Facility (SIRTF) and the IRC instrument on the ISAS ASTRO-F Infrared Imaging Survey (IRIS) mission. Data obtained with the HgCdTe arrays developed for the Visible and Infrared Thermal Imaging Spectrometer (VIRTIS) H and M instruments for the ESA ROSETTA mission will also be presented. Readouts for both ground-based and space-based astronomy applications will be highlighted, including the first prototype multiplexer and 4 K x 4 K Focal Plane Array (FPA) for the Next Generation Space Telescope (NGST). 1