Patent ID: 8426818
Filing Date: 2013-04-23
Classification: G01J

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing at least one submicron microbolometer pixel comprising the steps of: providing a substrate with at least one readout integrated circuit pad operatively connected to at least one readout integrated circuit; depositing a sacrificial layer over said substrate; forming at least one post via through said sacrificial layer to said at least one readout integrated circuit pad; filling said at least one post via with metal wherein post formed by said at least one metal filled post via has substantially parallel sides and comprises a filled post via hole filled at least flush to top of said post; polishing said metal to surface of said sacrificial layer; forming at least one microbolometer pixel layer over said at least one filled post via and said sacrificial layer; and removing said sacrificial layer to leave at least one post-supported microbolometer pixel, creating at least one free-standing metal post with a cross section width of about 0.2 micron to about 2 microns, supporting a pixel structure of said at least one microbolometer pixel layer, said post comprises no void greater than 0.2 micron to 2 microns corresponding to said cross section of said at least one free-standing metal post whereby structural integrity is maintained to support said at least one microbolometer pixel layer; wherein axis of said cross-section is along vertical axis of said at least one free-standing metal post, perpendicular to plane of said substrate.