Lattice-matched large-area CdZnTe virtual substrates and water-soluble liftoff technology for high performance HgCdTe photodetectors

Abstract

Infrared (IR) photodetector technology is one of the most critical technologies for defense applications. The technology is also very widely used for scientific research, astronomy, satellite remote sensing, environmental monitoring, chemical detection, night vision for driver safety enhancement, and security surveillance. The most advanced IR photodetector technology is based on HgCdTe material system. Although this material system offers almost ideal properties for IR detectors, they have to be grown on special substrates such as CdZnTe, which are very expensive and small in sizes. These drawbacks have hindered the technology from much broader applications. In this proposal, we will demonstrate low-cost, large area, and high-quality CdZnTe virtual substrates grown on lattice-matched InSb wafers using MBE technique. In combination with our newly developed water-soluble liftoff technology, the new virtual substrates will enable wafer-to-wafer level integration of focal plane arrays (FPA) with CMOS readout ICs to dramatically increase the manufacturing throughput and reduce substrate and overall cost for IR FPAs. If such a goal is realized, the mature HgCdTe IR photodetector technology will become much more affordable for not only defense applications but also commercial products.

Document Details

Document Type
DoD Grant Award
Publication Date
Jul 09, 2020
Source ID
W911NF2010225

Entities

People

  • Yong-hang Zhang

Organizations

  • Arizona State University
  • Army Contracting Command
  • United States Army

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.
  • Military Science and Technology Research and Modernization.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology

Technology Areas

  • Space