Patent ID: 7994477

Claim:
An infrared detector based on carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns comprising: a first electrode; a second electrode opposite to the first electrode; and a composite film between the first electrode and the second electrode, a first end of the composite film being electrically connected to the first electrode, a second end of the composite film and the second electrode cooperatively defining a gap therebetween, the composite film being capable of extending in a direction towards the second electrode and, thereby forming an electrical connection between the first and the second electrodes in response to an infrared light radiation applied onto the composite film, the composite film comprising: a polymer layer; a plurality of semiconducting CNT yarns dispersed in the polymer layer, each semiconducting CNT yarn comprising a plurality of twisted semiconducting CNTs; and a plurality of metallic CNT yarns dispersed in the polymer layer, each metallic CNT yarn comprising a plurality of twisted metallic CNTs.