Patent ID: 6326610
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G01J,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
An optical sensor device comprising:an optical sensor;a temperature sensor disposed proximate said optical sensor device;a thermoelectric cooling section comprising:a first Peltier device constructed and arranged to radiate heat generated in said optical sensor; anda second Peltier device constructed and arranged to absorb heat generated in said optical sensor and having a current consumption lower than that of said first Peltier device and being positioned nearer the optical sensor than the first Peltier device,wherein said first and second Peltier devices are stacked, one upon the other and are electrically connected in series;a current control section configured and arranged to supply a driving current to said first and second Peltier devices; anda bypass circuit electrically connected to said second Peltier device in parallel to divert an excess current in said second Peltier device.