13 Micron Cutoff HgCdTe Detector Arrays for Space and Ground-based Astronomy

With the recent success of our development of 10 micron HgCdTe infrared (IR) detector arrays,(1,2) we have used what we learned and extended the cutoff wavelength to 13 microns. These 13 micron HgCdTe detector arrays can operate at higher temperatures than Si: As, e.g. in a properly designed spacecraft with passive cooling, the 13 micron IR array will work well at temperatures around 30K. We present the initial measurements of dark current, noise and quantum efficiency for the first deliveries of 13 micron HgCdTe detector arrays from Teledyne Imaging Sensors. We also discuss our plans to develop 15 micron cutoff HgCdTe detector arrays which would facilitate the detection of the broad CO2 absorption feature in the atmospheres of exoplanets, particularly those in the habitable zone of their host star.