REPUBLIC OF SERBIA

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

www.mod.gov.rs

MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

Material Resources Sector

Defensive Technologies Department

Military Technical Institute

www.vti.mod.gov.rs

IMAGING DETECTOR TECHNOLOGY: A Short insight in history and future possibilities

Branko Livada

Vlatacom Institute, Belgrade, Serbia, branko.livada@vlatacom.com

dragana perić

Vlatacom Institute, Belgrade, Serbia, dragana.peric@vlatacom.com

Abstract:Imaging detectors are, in general, used to detect radiation spatial distribution in the object space, and form image suitable for patterns recognition visually or by other means. Different effects are used for image recording (photochemical, photo-thermal, photo-electrical, photo-luminescent, etc.), but discovery of the photo-electrical effect introduced a real revolution in the imaging technology providing capability for electronic imaging development. Electronic imaging detector development began with thermal detectors (thermocouples and bolometer) but due to their insufficient sensitivity the research was spread to photon detectors (photo-cathode, semiconductor detectors).  Semiconductor detectors have high sensitivity but some of them required cooling for proper operation. Also, semiconductor detectors provide sensitivity in ultraviolet, visible and infrared part of electromagnetic spectrum, with high capacity for application in scientific research and military systems. The historical aspects of the technological issues in imaging detector technology are discussed in this paper with special attention to results achieved in Serbia (Yugoslavia). The progress in the semiconductor industry provided increased capability for photo-detector signal read out and processing, leading to focal plane array (FPA) development that revolutionized electronic imaging and infrared imaging. FPA development, due to high number of detectors in detector matrix, renews interest for un-cooled thermal detectors. The basic properties of the most important technologies are reviewed in this paper. Special attention is paid for current development of the cooled and un-cooled FPA and expectations for further development.

Keywords: Imaging detectors, infrared technology, focalplane arrays.