Abstract:
The infra-red radiation detector comprises two differentially connected pyroelectric detector elements (1,2) in parallel-opposition. The detector elements are formed in a single body 3 of pyroelectric material having two adjacent pairs of overlying electrodes (4,5 and 6,7) on opposite major surfaces of the body. The two detector elements are poled in the same direction. To meet the difficulty of electrically connecting the top electrode of each pair to the bottom electrode of the other pair each electrode (4,5,6,7) is provided with an e.g. L-shaped extension (4a,5c,6a,7a) arranged such that at an edge (3a,3c) of the body the extension of the top electrode (4,6) of one pair overlies the extension of the bottom electrode (5,7) of the other pair. The overlying extensions can be electrically connected together by blobs (8a,8b) of conductive epoxy or conductive clips (9a, 9 b) on the edge of the body.
Abstract:
An infra-red radiation detector comprises a pyroelectric detector element (1) in an hermetically sealed housing (9, 20). The housing comprises a base (9) and a cover (20) with an aperture (10) surrounded by an inwardly directed flange (17). A self-locating window (18) capable of transmitting infra-red radiation which closes the aperture is fastened to the flange with adhesive. The window comprises a first portion (18a) which is adapted to fit and which is located within the aperture, and a second wider portion (18b) presenting a peripheral shoulder (18c) which bears against the flange. The second portion of the window is present outside the cover, giving a wide field of view. (Single Figure)
Abstract:
A thin film pyroelectric imaging array (N, M) fabricated as a Si wafer. A thin film (40) of PbTiO3 is deposited on a thermally isolated bridge (45). The bridge (45) suspends the PbTiO3 sensor (40) over a preferentially etched cavity (70) in the Si wafer (10). Improved thermal isolation increases the responsivity of the sensor (33) to incident radiation. The pyroelectric sensor (33) formed can operate effectively at room temperature.
Abstract:
The sensing array (10) detects an image by measuring the changes in the dielectric constant of individual capacitors in a rectangular array of capacitors (30-38). The present invention avoids the use of isolation transistors to eliminate the effects of other capacitors in the array when measuring the capacitance of a given capacitor in the array. During the measurement of any given capacitor in the array (10) the present invention maintains a zero potential difference across the capacitors that are not being measured, thereby eliminating any interference that might be caused by these capacitors.
Abstract:
A piezoelectric device having two piezoelectric films (10, 12) bonded together to form a laminate structure by an adhesive (14) with their like polarization surfaces oriented towards each other. Where metallized surfaces (16, 18) are provided for gathering charge given off in response to an incident stimulus. The structure providing a dual layer device where any electrical signals common to both layers are cancelled so that a higher contrast ratio may be achieved to assure a more accurate measurement of the incident stimulus.
Abstract:
An infrared thermal detector includes an infrared thermal sensing element, a load resistor, and a voltage supply means. The infrared thermal sensing element is a pyroelectric material whose electrical conductivity changes with temperature. The circuit and device parameters are chosen such that the detector will have a flat frequency response over a broad band from dc (0 Hertz) to a high frequency determined by the electronic time constant of the circuit. The detector thus has all the advantages of either a pyroelectric detector without a chopper, or a thermistor bolometer having a fast response time.
Abstract:
An infra-red radiation detector comprises a pyroelectric detector element (1) in an hermetically sealed housing (9,20). The housing comprises a base (9) and cover (20) with an aperture (10). A Fresnel lens (18) for example made of polyethylene transmissive in the 8-14µm wavelength range is fastened over the aperture on the inside of the cover for condensing the radiation to be detected onto the detector element. In one example the Fresnel lens is held fast against a flange (17) surrounding the aperture for example by a push-fit ring (21) see Figure 1). Alternatively the Fresnel lens is glued to a silicon window (25) which in turn is fastened to the flange (17) over the aperture (10) (see Figure 2). The Fresnel lens thus forms an integral part of the detector housing avoiding the need for external mirrors or lenses.
Abstract:
In an infrared sensor having a pyroelectric element (1) and an FET (2) in a shielding case (6), a capacitor (C 1 , C 2 ) is connected to at least one of drain and source electrodes of the FET (2) in order to remove influences due to an external high-frequency electric field.