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Abstract: Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) are good candidates for low photon flux detection in the 12–20μm range. For particularly low incident power applications, it can be interesting to reduce the operating temperature to reach the ultimate performance of the QWIP (low dark current, low noise, high detectivity). Nevertheless, once the QWIP operates in the tunneling regime, the dark current is no longer improved by reducing the temperature. Thus, further improvement of the performance needs a microscopic understanding of the physical phenomena involved in QWIP operation in the tunneling regime. In this paper we focus on the dark current of QWIP operated at very low temperature (4–20K). Experimental results obtained on a 14.5μm peaking device revealed a plateau regime in the IV curves. We first modeled the dark current using the WKB approximation, but it failed to reproduce the shape and order of magnitude of the phenomenon. As an improvement, we developed a scattering formalism. Our model includes all the most common interactions observed in GaAs: optical phonon, acoustical phonon, alloy disorder, interface roughness, interaction with ionized impurities and between carriers. We demonstrate that, as far as the tunneling regime is concerned, the dominant interaction is the one between electron and ionized impurities, which allows us to conclude on the influence of the doping profile on the dark current. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For a variety of scientific, space and defence applications, there is an increasing demand for long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) detector focal plane arrays and compact infrared instruments. In the first part, we present an overview of alternative detectors to standard mercury cadmium telluride photodiodes for LWIR detection, such as the HgCdTe avalanche photodiode, the quantum-well infrared photodetectors, the superlattice detectors and the carbone nanotubes-based bolometers. In the second part, we focus on new concepts developed to meet the requirement of miniaturization of infrared instruments. Original IRFPA-based micro-optical assemblies have been achieved, demonstrating several optical functions such as imagery, spectral filtering, spectrometry and wavefront sensing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Thanks to their wavelength diversity and to their excellent uniformity, Quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP) emerge as potential candidates for astronomical or defense applications in the very long wavelength infrared (VLWIR) spectral domain. However, these applications deal with very low backgrounds and are very stringent on dark current requirements. In this paper, we present the full electro-optical characterization of a 15μm QWIP, with emphasis on the dark current measurements. Data exhibit striking features, such as a plateau regime in the I(V) curves at low temperature (4–25K). We show that present theories fail to describe this phenomenon and establish the need for a fully microscopic approach. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: High dynamics measurements of spectral response were carried out on quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIP). Photocurrent spectra were studied over more than three orders of magnitude, revealing the presence of spectral structures which were never observed hitherto. Electric field assisted tunneling and, more surprisingly, Van Hove singularities at the miniband edges, are shown to play an important role in the low and high energy parts of the QWIP photocurrent spectra, respectively. These experimental features motivated us to initiate a theoretical study of the absorption in a multiquantum well structure. Our work is based on the study of the electronic wave function in a periodic structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]