Princeton Infrared Technologies (PIRT) has secured a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) award from the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to fund the development of a 128×128 on 50µm pixel pitch radiation hardened Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) system.
PIRT will focus on developing a flash LADAR module featuring indium gallium arsenide phosphide (InGaAsP) linear mode avalanche photodiodes (APDs) optimized for detection of 1.06µm light hybridized to a custom ROIC and operated with camera electronics.
In Phase I, PIRT developed the InGaAsP APD material structure and a unique ROIC circuit optimised for the application.
Martin H. Ettenberg, Ph.D., president of Princeton Infrared Technologies, Inc., said: “We are excited about this Phase II research. The new APD detector structure combined with this unique ROIC design will enable an exciting space-based 3D LADAR system.”