Patent ID: 9000373
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: G01J,G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A method of making a focal plane array assembly, comprising forming a plurality of individual thermal detector elements arranged as an array, each of at least a portion of the plurality of individual detector elements comprising an optically transitioning thermal absorption structure and being configured to sense radiation falling incident thereon by measuring at least one property of the thermal absorption structure that changes value with temperature, the thermal absorption structure being provided with at least one optically transitioning material that is an integral part of the thermal absorption structure itself; and where the method further comprises: selecting a composition of the optically transitioning material to tailor the optical transition characteristics of the material as a function of temperature so that the thermal absorption structure absorbs less of the incident radiation as its temperature increases; and viewing a scene with the focal plane array such that a temperature of the optically transitioning material of each of the portion of individual thermal detector elements increases while viewing the scene to cause the optically transitioning material to transition from a semiconducting phase to a metallic phase while viewing the scene.