Towards background-limited, room-temperature, infrared photon detectors in the 3-13 μm wavelength range

We have analyzed the various noise processes occurring in photon infrared detectors operating at room temperature and show that background-limited performance for photon detectors is potentially achievable at room temperature over the 3-13 mu m band even in restricted fields of view. We discuss practical embodiments in which this might be realized and give quantitative estimates of the material properties required to achieve this performance. A critical feature to achieve the highest performance is that devices within an array should not be radiatively coupled to each other. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)02219-6].