Demonstrating SWIR performance of SLS detectors and compact optical designs for Earth science applications

Goddard is a leader in thermal instrument design, building on innovative detectors such as the Strained Layer Superlattice (SLS), with proven performance from 3.3 – 10.7 µm on the Compact Thermal Imager (CTI). Here, we propose to test the capability of existing SLS detectors for imaging in the shortwave infrared (SWIR), including the 2.1-2.3 µm atmospheric window covered by instruments such as the Landsat Operational Land Imager (OLI), and develop optical designs for SLS focal plane arrays capable of imaging across this extended spectral domain (2 – 12 µm) with a wide field of view and compact form factor.

The potential for a single SLS-based instrument to cover the broad 2 – 12 µm range would support future land imaging missions, including follow-on opportunities that build on CTI, and NASA's longstanding commitment to the Landsat Program.

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