Towards background-limited, room-temperature, infrared photon detectors inthe 3-13 mu m wavelength range

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