Patent ID: 6034374
Filing Date: 2000-03-07
Classification: G01J,H01L

Abstract:
A thermal infrared sensor for detecting an incident infrared flux, comprising:(a) a substrate comprising a surface and a readout region;(b) an absorber for receiving the incident infrared flux and converting the infrared flux into a heat flux;(c) a thermal sensing element to which the absorber is laminated, the thermal sensing element being responsive to the heat flux, configured to convert the heat flux into an electrical signal, and electrically connected to the substrate, wherein the thermal sensing element comprises a polysilicon layer and a contact region, the contact region being formed by diffusing an impurity into the polysilicon layer and outputting the electrical signal to the readout region; and(d) at least one bridge supporting the thermal sensing element above the substrate and forming a gap between the thermal sensing element and the substrate, each bridge comprising an electrically conducting layer and being disposed beneath the absorber so that the respective bridge is hidden by the absorber when viewed from above the absorber.