High-performance modulation-doped AlGaAs/InGaAs thermopiles for uncooled infrared FPA application

Novel thermopile based on modulation doped AlGaAs/InGaAs heterostructures is proposed and developed for the first time, for uncooled infrared FPA (Focal Plane Array) image sensor application. The high responsivity with the high speed response time are designed to be 4900 V/W with 110 μs under the 2 μm design rule. Based on integrated HEMT–MEMS technology, the 32 × 32 matrix FPA is fabricated to demonstrate its enhanced performances by black body measurement. The technology presented here demonstrates the potential of this approach for low-cost uncooled infrared FPA image sensor application.