NASA 1996 SBIR Phase I

PROJECT TITLE : Low Light Level and Fused Heterojunction Avalanchhe Solid State CCD Imager for 0.4 to 2.0 micron VIS and NIR Imaging

TECHNICAL ABSTRACT (LIMIT 200 WORDS)

PixelVision, Inc. as prime-contractor, with contributions from sub-contractor Hughes Santa Barbara Research Center (SBRC), proposes in this Phase 1 NASA SBIR effort to design, model, and prototype a high speed, low noise, back-illuminated CCD sensor for use spaceborne observation in the 0.4 to 2.0 micron spectral region. This new sensor, hereinafter referred to as the High-Speed Solid State Low Light (HS3L2) CCD imager, will be manufactured, tested, and optimized in a Phase II SBIR effort that will result in a new class of a high speed solid state low light level imager that can be optimized to operate either: the visible (0.4 to 1.1 mm) spectral region; or the visible and NIR (0.4 to 2.0 mm wavelength) spectral regions.

Back-illuminated CCDs (BCCDs) exhibit quantum efficiencies as high as 90%. With its low noise and low dark current, the BCCD is a very effective low light level imager up to 1100 nm. In order to achieve wavelength sensitivity above 1.1 um, we are proposing fusing InGaAs to back-illuminated silicon CCDs. Recent developments in the Heterojunction Fusing group at UCSB, led by Dr. John Bowers, have demonstrated that high quality junctions can be made between silicon and InGaAs. The result is a solid state sensor that can be scaled for high resolution and small pixel size with the performance and manufacturability of the CCD.

The development of the proposed sensor will expand markets requiring affordable high performance sensors in the visible and NOR spectral regions. Opporutunities for the visible/NIR imager include: materials analysis, surveillance, DNA sequencing, biological flourescence and Raman Microscopy, broadcast HDTV cameras, scanners, stronomical imaging and spectrscopy cameras, space based imaging and industrial inspection and robotics.

Typed Name James R. Janesick
Title Chief Scientific Officer
FIRM NAME PixelVision, Inc
MAIL ADDRESS 15250 NW Greenbrier Parkway
CITY/STATE/ZIP Beaverton, OR 97006