The types of cooled infrared detectors

According to sensor materials, cooled infrared detectors can be divided into mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detectors, quantum well (QWIP) detectors, indium antimonide (InSb) detectors, type II superlattice (T2SL) detectors, etc.

1、MCT detector

It is one of the most widely used cooled infrared detectors. Its wavelength can cover the entire infrared wavelength range, including short wave, medium wave and long wave. The detector has high absorption coefficient and quantum efficiency, adjustable band gap, low noise and high detection rate.

2、Indium Antimonide Detector

InSb detectors are intrinsic absorption type and have extremely high material quantum efficiency and responsivity. It enables high thermal sensitivity and image quality. The material has good stability and low dark current, but is limited to medium-wave detectors.

3、QWIP detector

The constituent elements Ga and As are covalently bonded with Al and As. The structure is stable and can withstand space-based high-energy ion radiation. It is suitable for preparing space-based infrared detectors. However, the quantum efficiency of the QWIP detector is low. Under same conditions, the performance of QWIP long-wave detector is lower than that of the MCT long-wave detector. Moreover, due to the need for cooling, its power consumption is higher and its lifespan is shorter.

4、T2SL detector

It has similar absorption coefficient and cut-off wavelength to the MCT detector, both are continuously adjustable from short-wave infrared to long-wave infrared, and allow operation in photovoltaic mode. The advantage of the T2ST detector is that it significantly reduces spiral recombination and leakage current, thereby improving the overall performance of the infrared detector and allowing it to operate at higher temperatures.

GSTiR masters both MCT and T2SL core technologies and can provide suitable cooling infrared detectors according to customer needs and application scenarios.

• Previous: Infrared Technology Applied in the Field of Security
• Next: Thermal Sensitivity of Infrared Camera Modules