Laboratory characterization of SLS-based infrared detectors for precision photometry

TL;DR

This paper presents laboratory measurements of SLS-based infrared detectors, highlighting their potential for improved sensitivity and stability in astronomical photometry compared to traditional detectors.

Contribution

It provides the first detailed characterization of SLS detectors' linearity and stability, demonstrating their advantages for future astronomical applications.

Findings

SLS detectors have comparable or lower dark current than HgCdTe detectors.

SLS detectors exhibit good linearity and time stability in laboratory tests.

Potential for higher sensitivity at elevated temperatures compared to traditional IR detectors.

Abstract

Strained layer superlattice (SLS) detectors are a new class of infrared detectors available in the scientific and commercial markets. The photosensitive bandpass is set by material and engineered properties with typical detectors covering 7.5- 10.5 microns, bluer than traditional N-band filters. SLS detectors have the potential to reach lower dark current than traditional infrared materials (like HgCdTe) allowing comparable photometric sensitivity at higher detector temperatures, easing cooling requirements. Conversely, at equal cryogenic temperatures the SLS detector will have lower dark current than HgCdTe allowing better photometric sensitivity under dark current limited operation. This work presents laboratory measurements of SLS detectors to quantify detector linearity and time stability. The potential advantages in using SLS- based detectors in future astronomical instruments is also discussed.