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 μm 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.