An inexpensive midwave infrared HgCdTe camera

This paper outlines a camera demonstrating the possibility of using HgCdTe to create a low cost, high sensitivity (low noise equivalent temperature difference, NE/spl Delta/T) mid-wave (3-5 /spl mu/m) infrared camera. HgCdTe is typically used in systems requiring high performance (fast frame rate and low NE/spl Delta/T) at any cost. The high cost of these systems limits the applications where they may be employed. Alternative technologies such as thermal imagers provide lower cost options, however for applications requiring higher sensitivity an inexpensive HgCdTe based camera is appealing.