Small pixel cross-talk MTF and its impact on MWIR sensor performance

Tristan M. Goss; Cornelius J. Willers

doi:10.1117/12.2262454

3 May 2017 Small pixel cross-talk MTF and its impact on MWIR sensor performance

Proceedings Volume 10178, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXVIII; 101780L (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262454
Event: SPIE Defense + Security, 2017, Anaheim, CA, United States

Abstract

As pixel sizes reduce in the development of modern High Definition (HD) Mid Wave Infrared (MWIR) detectors the interpixel cross-talk becomes increasingly difficult to regulate. The diffusion lengths required to achieve the quantum efficiency and sensitivity of MWIR detectors are typically longer than the pixel pitch dimension, and the probability of inter-pixel cross-talk increases as the pixel pitch/diffusion length fraction decreases. Inter-pixel cross-talk is most conveniently quantified by the focal plane array sampling Modulation Transfer Function (MTF). Cross-talk MTF will reduce the ideal sinc square pixel MTF that is commonly used when modelling sensor performance. However, cross-talk MTF data is not always readily available from detector suppliers, and since the origins of inter-pixel cross-talk are uniquely device and manufacturing process specific, no generic MTF models appear to satisfy the needs of the sensor designers and analysts. In this paper cross-talk MTF data has been collected from recent publications and the development for a generic cross-talk MTF model to fit this data is investigated. The resulting cross-talk MTF model is then included in a MWIR sensor model and the impact on sensor performance is evaluated in terms of the National Imagery Interoperability Rating Scale’s (NIIRS) General Image Quality Equation (GIQE) metric for a range of fnumber/ detector pitch Fλ/d configurations and operating environments. By applying non-linear boost transfer functions in the signal processing chain, the contrast losses due to cross-talk may be compensated for. Boost transfer functions, however, also reduce the signal to noise ratio of the sensor. In this paper boost function limits are investigated and included in the sensor performance assessments.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Tristan M. Goss and Cornelius J. Willers "Small pixel cross-talk MTF and its impact on MWIR sensor performance", Proc. SPIE 10178, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing XXVIII, 101780L (3 May 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2262454

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