COMPACT MULTI-SPECTRAL INFRARED CAMERA WITH 4-MEGAPIXEL FOCAL PLANE ARRAY WITH INTEGRATED SPECTRAL FILTERS

QmagiQ proposes to develop and deliver a small, lightweight, low-power 4-MEGAPIXEL (2Kx2K) multi-spectral infrared camera covering a broad spectral band from 1-14 microns. A key feature is a broadband high-quantum-efficiency strained layer superlattice focal plane array (High-QE SLS FPA) with spectral filters deposited directly on the FPA a design that allows the camera to be very compact and reliable. The spectroscopic information provided by the filters will be useful in detecting and identifying a variety of targets at distance. In Phase I, we successfully developed and demonstrated a low-force hybridization process for megapixel FPAs. We will apply this process to develop 2Kx2K FPAs in Phase II with high pixel operability and yield. The proposed camera will greatly improve ground resolution due to the high pixel count and small pixel pitch, allow more chemical analysis due to broader spectral coverage, and be smaller, lighter, and more reliable than the current state of the art which uses a 1-megapixel FPA with 3-12 micron spectral coverage and discrete attached filters. In addition to detecting, tracking and chemically analyzing fires, a drone/airplane equipped with such a camera can be used to detect and analyze industrial gas leaks and pollution with high ground resolution. COMPACT 4-MEGAPIXEL MULTI-SPECTRAL INFRARED CAMERA FOR WILDFIRE DETECTION AND CHEMICAL ANALYSIS Uses advanced strained layer superlattice (SLS) infrared detector technology with HIGH quantum efficiency and low dark current High operating temperature of SLS = small / light / low-power / high-reliability /  low-cost cryocooler = long life 4-Megapixels (2Kx2K FPA) for high ground resolution (e.g. better than 640x512 FPA in current LANDSAT-8/9-TIRS) Spectral filters DEPOSITED DIRECTLY on FPA to achieve small lightweight camera 1-14 micron spectral response of FPA for spectroscopy in wide range of wavelengths Camera will enable detection, tracking and chemical analysis of fires and gas leaks Superb image stability - no need for the frequent image correction of mercury cadmium telluride (HgCdTe) ! Low camera cost due to low SLS material growth/processing costs, and filter deposition on FPA Technical Objectives Develop 2Kx2K broadband infrared focal plane arrays (FPAs) Integrate filters on FPAs Develop camera with FPA Proposed deliverables to NASA Project report with technical feasibility study Prototype camera

1) LANDSAT Thermal InfraRed Sensor (TIRS) 2) Compact Thermal Imager (CTI) 3) Detection, tracking and chemical analysis of fires and gas leaks 4) Mapping and analysis of forests and vegetation 5) Space-based astronomy, e.g. future versions of the Spitzer Space Telescope 6) Climate Absolute Radiance and Refractivity Observatory (CLARREO) 7) BOReal Ecosystem Atmosphere Study (BOREAS) 8) Other infrared earth observing missions 9) Atmospheric mapping 10) Pollution chemistry 1) Gas leak detection and identification for the petrochemical, gas, and mining industries 2) Crop health monitoring and analysis 3) Missile detection for countermeasures systems 4) Thermography 5) Product inspection for pharmaceutical and agricultural industries 6) Security and surveillance

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