Journal Article

Design of large dynamic range, low-power, high-precision ROIC for quantum dot infrared photo-detector

Paul, S., Kumar, A.S.K., Samudraiah, D.R.M., Parmar, R.M., Gupta, H.S., Chakrabarti, S., Sharma, D.K., Baghini, M.S.

2013

Overview

Hybrid infrared (IR) focal plane arrays consist of an array of IR photo-detectors, bump-bonded to a silicon CMOS readout integrated circuit (ROIC) chip. Design and optimisation of ROIC for quantum dot IR detectors is a multidimensional problem. The major design challenge is to select appropriate readout circuit topology to meet the large dynamic range requirement of quantum dot IR photo-detectors within the area dictated by the matched pixel size. Proposed is an efficient design optimisation for ROIC. The optimisation is based on a proposed decision matrix, which leads to a decision merit for ROIC design. Four main specifications, i.e. charge handling capacity, noise, power dissipation and detector bias voltage variations, have been considered. Various architectures have been compared using circuit design, simulation and implementation. The targeted ROIC specifications for a test chip containing a 4 × 4 array are: 5 Mē charge handling capacity, 30 × 30 µm maximum pixel size, snapshot mode of operation, variable integration time, 5 megapixels/s (Mpps) readout rate and readout noise of 600ē at ambient temperature. Also presented is a design with 5 Mē charge handling capacity, which has not been reported for 180 nm CMOS process earlier.

• Publisher: The Institution of Engineering and Technology,Institution of Engineering and Technology
• Subject: Applied sciences / CMOS integrated circuits / CMOS process / Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology / decision matrix / detector bias voltage variations / Electronics / elemental semiconductors / Exact sciences and technology / focal planes / infrared detectors / Integrated circuits / Integrated circuits by function (including memories and processors) / integrated optoelectronics / IR focal plane arrays / IR photodetector array / large dynamic range low‐power high‐precision ROIC design / matched pixel size / Materials science / Mechanical engineering. Machine design / multidimensional problem / Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization / photodetectors / Photonics / Physics / power dissipation / Precision engineering, watch making / quantum dot infrared photodetector / quantum dot IR detectors / Quantum dots / readout circuit topology / readout electronics / ROIC optimization / semiconductor counters / Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices / silicon / silicon CMOS readout integrated circuit chip / size 180 nm