Investigation of Free Space Optical Detection Module Operating at the Wavelength Range of 8-12 μm

The paper presents the construction and test results of a long-term radiation detector module for free space optical communication operated at the wavelength range of 8-12 μm. In the module a Polish detector manufactured in the company Vigo System S.A. was applied. High sensitivity of the detection module was achieved through a multi-layered heterostructure HgCdTe with immersion lens, which is optimized for the radiation detection at the wavelength of 10 μm. Detector noises were reduced as a result of detector cooling by means of four-stage thermoelectric cooler. The developed detection module is dedicated to design a next-generation optical data link. The link will be characterized by a greater range in difficult weather conditions in relation to the currently offered links operating at the shorter wavelengths.