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To ensure a broadband flat response, the linear array is coated with gold-black. INO’s approach included manufacturing of prototypes early in the development to confirm the suitability of INO’s technologies for the application. A gold-black deposition facility has been developed and built at INO to meet the needs, not only of the BBR instrument, but of future broadband applications as well. The gold-black facility was commissioned and the process parameters were subsequently optimized to achieve deposits meeting the requirements of the BBR detectors. Given the gold-black facility’s capabilities in terms of control and monitoring, the process and resulting deposits can be adapted to other specific needs. Pixel definition of the coated FPA is ensured by ablating the gold-black material by a high-resolution micromachining system, which was designed, developed and implemented in an INO’s cleanroom laboratory. INO’s capabilities for laser micromachining cover a wide range of applications.
Five prototypes were built to date. Engineering and flight models are planed to be delivered in September 2011.