The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is developing a new type of infrared detector called the BIB-Trap Detector. This detector will be used as a reference for calibrations in the 4-28 µm wavelength range.
Current BIB detectors have excellent noise performance but suffer from inhomogeneous spectral response and internal losses. NIST is working with DRS Sensors and Targeting Systems, Inc. to develop new BIB devices with minimal internal losses.
The new BIB devices will have two key design features:
1. The backside silicon will be polished away after fabrication to avoid absorption losses in the substrate.
2. The IR-active layer will be made significantly thicker than in standard BIBs to reduce potential loss through transmission at the back contact.
The BIB-Trap Detector will be composed of two nominally identical BIB detectors in a wedge geometry. Incoming photons will execute a minimum of 7 bounces in the trap before escape. If the new BIBs achieve 99% internal quantum efficiency, the BIB trap detector could achieve greater than 98% total quantum efficiency over the 4-28 µm wavelength range.
Source: https://www.nist.gov/programs-projects/bib-trap-detector
Keywords: Quantum Efficiency, BIB Detectors, Solid-State Devices, IR-Active Layers, Internal Losses
