Patent ID: 8513605
Filing Date: 2013-08-20
Classification: G01J,G01N,H01L

Abstract:
1. A thermal detector element comprising: an optically transitioning thermal absorption structure, the thermal detector element 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 one or more optically transitioning materials that are an integral part of the thermal absorption structure itself; and a substrate; where the thermal absorption structure is a microbolometer pixel membrane structure that provides a membrane suspended above the substrate that is configured to absorb radiation incident thereon, the microbolometer pixel membrane structure being disposed in spaced relationship above the substrate to define a cavity therebetween; and where the one or more optically transitioning materials are an integral part of the membrane itself; and where the microbolometer pixel membrane structure comprises an electrically conductive thermally-electrically active layer and an optically transitioning radiation absorbing layer comprising one or more optically transitioning materials and that is separate from the electrically conductive thermally-electrically active layer, each of the electrically conductive thermally-electrically active layer and optically transitioning radiation absorbing layer being an integral part of the membrane itself; and where the substrate of the thermal detector element further comprises read out integrated circuitry (ROTC) electrically coupled to form a current path across at least a portion of the electrically conductive thermally-electrically active layer.