Dense Pixel Array Integration

Although researchers have developed numerous impressive tools within the confines of research laboratories, scaling them up for industrial applications poses a significant challenge. When it comes to LWIR detectors, most of the reported work focuses on individual pixels, with limited representation of innovative detectors featuring dense pixel arrays and integrated readout circuits (ROIC) (Schultz et al. Lincoln Lab J 20:36–51, 2014; Zverev et al. J Phys Conf Ser. IOP Publishing). In this presentation, I will showcase our endeavors to integrate the graphene LWIR detector into a commercially available ROIC with dense pixel focal plane array, paving way to prototype camera production. Please note that, despite the tremendous time and effort invested, due to intellectual property protection and restrictions, this aspect of my work will be presented in a concise and descriptive manner. Figure below illustrates an example of a readout circuit from an open access source (Zverev et al. J Phys Conf Ser. IOP Publishing) (not the ROIC used in this work). Focal plane array (FPA) is a collection of light-sensitive pixels arranged in a typically rectangular grid at the focal plane of a lens. FPAs are primarily employed for imaging tasks, such as capturing photographs or video footage. The FPA lies in the ROIC which is labeled as 2 in figure above. With FPA and the imaging lens array, LWIR images can be generated at the output of ROIC as shown in figure below (Zverev et al. J Phys Conf Ser. IOP Publishing).