NASA Scientific and Technical Aerospace Reports

and optical machining allow THEMIS low-scatter, reflective, wide field-of-view (WFOV) pushbroom optics for relatively long
dwell-time compared to narrow FOV optics requiring cross-track scanning for equivalent spatial resolution. This allows
uncooled silicon microbolometer FPAs, with less signal sensitivity than cryogenically cooled photo-diode FPAs, to meet the
THEMIS sensitivity requirements.
Author
Imaging Techniques; Thermal Emission; Bolometers; Satellite Instruments
20040068193 Canadian Space Agency, Saint Hubert, Quebec, Canada
Canadian Microbolometer Technology for Future Space Missions
Phong, Linh Ngo; Zheng, Wan-Ping; International Thermal Detectors Workshop (TDW 2003); February 2004, pp. 2-10 -
2-13; In English; See also 20040068186; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A01, Hardcopy
This paper provides an overview of the microbolometer technology developed in Canada, including pixel engineering,
readout electronics, and detector packaging. Design considerations are also presented for a two band LWIR radiometer
intended for microsatellite-based demonstration of microbolometer technology.
Author
Bolometers; Readout; Microsatellites; Technology Assessment
20040068198 Rochester Univ., NY, USA
Ultimate Sensitivity of Superconducting Single-Photon Detectors in the Visible to Infrared Range
Verevkin, A.; Zhang, J.; Pearlman, A.; Slysz, W.; Sobolewski, Roman; Korneev, A.; Kouminov, P.; Okunev, O.; Chulkova, G.;
Goltsman, G.; International Thermal Detectors Workshop (TDW 2003); February 2004, pp. 2-6 - 2-9; In English; See also
20040068186
Contract(s)/Grant(s): F49620-01-1-0463; RFBR-02-02-16774; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A01, Hardcopy
We present our quantum efficiency (QE) and noise equivalent power (NEP) measurements of the meander-type ultrathin
NbN superconducting single-photon detector in the visible to infrared radiation range. The nanostructured devices with 3.5-nm
film thickness demonstrate QE up to approx. 10% at 1.3 - 1.55 microns wavelength, and up to 20% in the entire visible range.
The detectors are sensitive to infrared radiation with the wavelengths down to approx. 10 microns. NEP of about 2 x 10(exp
-18) W/Hz(sup 1/2) was obtained at 1.3 microns wavelength. Such high sensitivity together with GHz-range counting speed,
make NbN photon counters very promising for efficient, ultrafast quantum communications and another applications. We
discuss the origin of dark counts in our devices and their ultimate sensitivity in terms of the resistive fluctuations in our
superconducting nanostructured devices.
Author
Sensitivity; Superconductivity; Photons; Detectors; Infrared Radiation; Quantum Effıciency
20040068199 Towson State Univ., MD, USA
Perovskite Manganites: A New Family of Materials for Uncooled/Moderately Cooled IR Detector Applications
Rajeswari, M.; Smolyaninova, V.; Overby, M.; International Thermal Detectors Workshop (TDW 2003); February 2004,
pp. 3-11 - 3-16; In English; See also 20040068186
Contract(s)/Grant(s): NSF DMR-01-16619; NSF DMR-96-32521; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A02, Hardcopy
Alkaline earth doped perovskite manganites have been a focus of research during the past several years on account of the
phenomenon of colossal magneto-resistance (CMR) and its application in magnetic information storage technology.
Somewhat less known is the potential of these materials for use as bolometric infrared detectors. The bolometric sensor
functionality is based on the steep temperature dependence of resistance in the vicinity of the insulator-metal transition. The
insulator-metal transition temperature can be tuned by manipulating the chemistry, which makes it feasible to tailor these
materials for sensor operation over a wide temperature range anywhere from well over room temperature down to liquid
nitrogen and lower temperatures. Figure of merit calculations based on the best currently demonstrated values of the
temperature-coefficient of resistance and 1/f noise indicate good potential for development of state-of-the-art IR detectors
based on manganites.
Author
Infrared Detectors; Manganese Compounds; Perovskites; Cooling; Mineralogy
20040068200 NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, MD, USA
Bolometer Simulation Using SPICE
Jones, Hollis H.; Aslam, Shahid; Lakew, Brook; International Thermal Detectors Workshop (TDW 2003); February 2004,
pp. 3-17 - 3-21; In English; See also 20040068186; No Copyright; Avail: CASI; A01, Hardcopy
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