Microstructured infrared sensor and method for its manufacture
First Claim
1. A microstructured infrared sensor, comprising:
- a sensor chip having a diaphragm and a cavity formed underneath the diaphragm;
at least one thermopile structure formed on the diaphragm and having at least two bonded printed conductors made of different, electrically conductive materials;
an absorber layer formed on the thermopile structure for absorbing infrared radiation;
a cap chip attached to the sensor chip in vacuum-tight bonding areas, wherein a sensor space under vacuum is formed between the cap chip and the sensor chip, and wherein the at least one thermopile structure is accommodated in the sensor space; and
a convex lens area for focusing incident infrared radiation onto the absorber layer, wherein the convex lens area is formed above the sensor space.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A microstructured infrared sensor includes: a sensor chip having a diaphragm; a cavity formed underneath the diaphragm; a thermopile structure formed on the diaphragm and having bonded printed conductors; an absorber layer formed on the thermopile structure for absorbing infrared radiation; and a cap chip attached to the sensor chip. A sensor space is formed between the cap chip and the sensor chip, and the sensor space accommodates the thermopile structure. The infrared sensor also includes a convex lens area for focusing incident infrared radiation onto the absorber layer. The lens area may be formed on the top of the cap chip or on a lens chip attached to the cap chip. The lens area may be formed by drying a dispensed lacquer droplet, or by a softened, structured lacquer cylinder, or by subsequent etching of the dried lacquer droplet and the surrounding substrate material.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A microstructured infrared sensor, comprising:
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a sensor chip having a diaphragm and a cavity formed underneath the diaphragm;
at least one thermopile structure formed on the diaphragm and having at least two bonded printed conductors made of different, electrically conductive materials;
an absorber layer formed on the thermopile structure for absorbing infrared radiation;
a cap chip attached to the sensor chip in vacuum-tight bonding areas, wherein a sensor space under vacuum is formed between the cap chip and the sensor chip, and wherein the at least one thermopile structure is accommodated in the sensor space; and
a convex lens area for focusing incident infrared radiation onto the absorber layer, wherein the convex lens area is formed above the sensor space. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A sensor module, comprising:
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a package housing;
a cover secured on the package housing and having an aperture for passage of infrared radiation, wherein a package inner space is formed between the package housing and the cover; and
an infrared sensor mounted in the package inner space, the infrared sensor including;
a sensor chip having a diaphragm and a cavity formed underneath the diaphragm;
at least one thermopile structure formed on the diaphragm and having at least two bonded printed conductors made of different, electrically conductive materials;
an absorber layer formed on the thermopile structure for absorbing infrared radiation;
a cap chip attached to the sensor chip in vacuum-tight bonding areas, wherein a sensor space under vacuum is formed between the cap chip and the sensor chip, and wherein the at least one thermopile structure is accommodated in the sensor space; and
a convex lens area for focusing incident infrared radiation onto the absorber layer, wherein the convex lens area is formed above the sensor space;
wherein the aperture of the cover is formed above the convex lens area of the infrared sensor.
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18. A method for manufacturing an infrared sensor, comprising:
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forming a sensor chip substrate having at least one diaphragm;
forming at least one thermopile structure on the diaphragm;
forming an absorber layer on top of the thermopile structure;
forming a liquid spherical cap from a lacquer that is transparent to infrared radiation, wherein the liquid spherical cap is formed on one of a cap substrate and a lens substrate;
solidifying the spherical cap to form a convex lens area; and
attaching the cap substrate to the sensor chip substrate, whereby the at least one thermopile structure is located in a sensor space formed between the cap substrate and the sensor chip substrate, and wherein the convex lens area is positioned above the absorber layer. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification