Patent ID: 7622717

Claim:
A pixel structure for use in an infrared imager, comprising: a substrate; and a bolometer comprising: a transducer having a spaced apart relationship with respect to said substrate, the transducer having an electrical resistance that varies in response to changes in the temperature of the transducer, and an absorber having a spaced apart relationship with respect to the transducer, the absorber having a thermal connection to the transducer permitting radiation absorbed by the absorber to heat the transducer, the absorber including an absorbing layer having a thickness that is 100 Angstroms or less, the absorber further including a base layer disposed below the absorbing layer and having a thickness equal to or greater than 900 Angstroms, wherein the absorber has a top side defining a channel through the absorber, the channel being adapted to affect the propagation path of a portion of radiation received by the absorber such that the radiation portion is absorbed by the absorber rather than exiting the absorber.