Performance of 1M-IRCSD imager with PtSi Schottky-barrier detectors

We have developed a `1M-IRCSD imager' for thermal imaging in the 3 to 5 micrometers band. The device of this imager is a 1040 X 1040 monolithic PtSi Schottky-barrier (SB) array using the charge sweep device (CSD) readout architecture. In this imager system, four video signals are read out from four independent channels on the chip. The processing of these four outputs, such as sample and hold (S/H), offset control and image correction, is performed in parallel, after which these outputs are combined to produce High Definition TV (HDTV; 1125 lines, 30 Hz) format thermal image in real time. The noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD) with F1.2 optics at 27 degree(s)C background is 0.13 degree(s)C at the HDTV output stage.