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Recently, a team of researchers from UWA demonstrated fully operational prototypes of 320x256 infrared (IR) imaging arrays with a 30μm pitch. These arrays have been entirely fabricated within the ANFF facilities at UWA, including semiconductor material (HgCdTe) growth by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) and array fabrication. These photovoltaic IR arrays, operating within the mid-wave IR band (3-5μm wavelength), are based on the technologies developed at UWA, including high quality HgCdTe semiconductor material growth in our Riber 32B MBE system, photovoltaic junction formation, and surface passivation. The short clip demonstrating the array can be found here.

Above: IR image

The development of these imaging arrays is the culmination of many years of research and development by the Microelectronics Research Group team led by Prof. L. Faraone, including J. Antoszewski, R. Gu, H. Kala, G. Umana-Membreno, N. Dehdashti-Akhavan, W. Lei and I. Madni. The final result of this project clearly demonstrates the MRG/UWA capability in this field. With additional effort the development of larger format and smaller pitch imaging arrays becomes feasible.

This research effort was supported by Australian Nano-Fabrication Facility, Australian Research Council, University of Western Australia, State Government of Western Australia and the Australian Defence Science and Technology Group.

HgCdTe imaging focal plane array hybridised with silicon based readout integrate

Media references

Jarek Antoszewski (UWA Faculty of Engineering Mathematical Sciences)

Ben Robson (Marketing Officer - UWA Faculty of Engineering Mathematical Sciences)