Application of charge-coupled devices to infrared detection and imaging

Abstract

A review of infrared sensitive charge-coupled devices (IRCCD) is presented. Operational requirements of typical IRCCD applications are briefly introduced. IRCCD devices are divided into two major categories: a) Monolithic devices, which essentially extend the original CCD concept into the IR. Monolithic IRCCD's discussed include inversion-mode devices (with narrow bandgap semiconductor substrate), accumulation-mode devices (extrinsic wide bandgap semiconductor substrate), and Schottky-barrier devices (internal photoemission), b) Hybrid devices, in which the functions of detection and signal processing are performed in separate but integratable components by an array of IR detectors and a silicon CCD shift register unit. Hybrid IRCCD's discussed include both direct injection devices (in conjunction with photovoltaic IR detectors) and indirect injection devices (in conjunction with pyroelectric and photoconductive devices).