SBIR 95-1 SOLICITATION
PROJECT SUMMARY
Proposal Number:
Project Title:
GAINASSB AND INASSBP INFRARED DETECTORS
Technical Abstract:
AstroPower proposes to develop high performance, room temperature, mass-
producible, low-cost infrared detectors and detector arrays using liquid-phase
heteroepitaxy of lattice-matched GaInAsSb and InAsSbP on GaSb substrates. With
proper composition these quaternary alloy systems can be prepared with band gaps
adjustable in wavelength from 1.7 to 4.5 mm. The major advantage of using a
quaternary system over binary and ternary compounds is the ability to vary the band
gap while still providing lattice matched growth to the substrate material. Another
expected advantage is that this detector structure will have good detectivity at room
temperature while most commercially available detectors need cooling to liquid
nitrogen temperatures. With proper device design both the cut-on and cut-off
wavelengths can be varied over the range of the quaternary system. AstroPower has
previous experience in the growth of these material systems. Liquid phase epitaxy has
routinely provided quality III-V detectors and photovoltaic cells with the highest
optical-to-electrical energy conversion efficiency, and has significant cost advantages
over other forms of epitaxy. Feasibility of this approach will be demonstrated by
working IR detetors by the end of the Phase I program.
_
Potential Commercial Applications:
These photodetectors will be useful in space and terrestrial infrared imaging
systems. Photodetectors operating in the mid-IR range have potential use in gas
sensors since the basic absorption bands of water and many industrial gases belong in
this range. The new sensor will have a variety of commercial applications in air
pollution monitoring, industrial process control, and automobile emission monitoring.
The 2-4 mm wavelength range is also of potential importance to future lightwave
communication systems since novel fiber materials offer extremely low transmission
losses in this region.
_
Name and Address of Offeror:
AstroPower, Inc. Solar Park, Newark, DE 19716-2000
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) &
Small Business Technology Transfer Program (STTR) Programs
Electronic Management System (EMS)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
The SBIR/STTR EMS site is maintained by Steve
Hu, Hughes STX.
For comments and questions, contact
webmaster@sbir.hq.nasa.gov.
Updated: Feb. 7, 1996