USA flag logo/image

An Official Website of the United States Government

Passivation Innovations for Large Format Reduced Pixel pitch strained layer…

Award Information

Agency:
Department of Defense 		Branch:
Army 		Award ID:
87239 		Program Year/Program:
2008 / SBIR
Agency Tracking Number:
A082-103-1701 		Solicitation Year:
N/A 		Solicitation Topic Code:
N/A 		Solicitation Number:
N/A
Small Business Information
EPIR Technologies
590 Territorial Drive, Suite B Bolingbrook, IL 60440-4881
View profile »
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No
 
Phase 1
Fiscal Year: 2008
Title: Passivation Innovations for Large Format Reduced Pixel pitch strained layer superlattice Focal Plane Array Imagers Operating in the Long Wavelength In
Agency / Branch: DOD / ARMY
Contract: W15P7T-09-C-M101
Award Amount: $69,999.00
 

Abstract:

A novel surface passivation technique is proposed for InAs/GaInSb-based strained layer superlattice focal plane arrays with a pitch of 15 m or less. Buffered oxide and sulfur-based surface treatments prior to dielectric deposition are proposed as the most suitable and chemically stable surface treatments. Both processes result in the removal of elemental oxides, while the latter additionally promotes the formation of stable sulfur-based bonds. The dissolution of the oxide results in a stable surface stoichiometry and avoids the incorporation of any unwanted atmospheric elements in the room-temperature formed oxides. The bare dangling bonds and the sulfur-passivated bonds will be protected with the proper deposition of a dielectric material. ZnS is being proposed for the first time as the dielectric owing to its good thermal match with the superlattice as compared to other previously used dielectrics. The sulfur-rich surface resulting from the sulfur-based surface treatment is expected to yield a highly stable dielectric layer. We will undertake mesa sidewall deposition with a specially designed holder and characterize the resulting InAs/GaInSb superlattice photodiodes. A good surface treatment coupled with the proposed passivation techniques will enhance the performance of these detectors to help them realize their commercial and defense potentials.

Principal Investigator:

Peter Dreiske
Senior Director
6307710203
pdreiske@epir.com

Business Contact:

Sivalingam Sivananthan
President
6307710201
ssivananthan@epir.com
Small Business Information at Submission:

EPIR TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
590 Territorial Drive, Suite B Bolingbrook, IL 60440

EIN/Tax ID: 364196918
DUNS: N/A
Number of Employees:
Woman-Owned: No
Minority-Owned: No
HUBZone-Owned: No