Multichannel infrared detector with optical concentrators for each channel

• US 5,877,500 A
• Filed: 03/13/1997
• Issued: 03/02/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Original Assignee: OptiScan Biomedical Corporation
• Inventors: Braig, James R., Shulenberger, Arthur M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Westin, Edward P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HANIG, RICHARD E
• Application Number:
  US08/816,088
• Time in Patent Office: 719 Days
• Field of Search: 250/353, 250/342, 250/347, 250/332
• US Class Current: 250/353
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0205 Mechanical elements; Supports for optical elements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/04 Casings
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/045 Sealings; Vacuum enclosures; Encapsulated packages; Wafer bonding structures; Getter arrangements getter arrangements per se H01L23/26 and H01L21/3221
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/06 Arrangements for eliminating effects of disturbing radiation; Arrangements for compensating changes in sensitivity for adjusting of solid angle of collected radiation G01J5/07; means for wavelength selection G01J5/0801
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/061 by controlling the temperature of the apparatus or parts thereof, e.g. using cooling means or thermostats
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/08 Optical arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0802 Optical filters
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0815 Light concentrators, collectors or condensers
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0881 Compact construction
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/0893 Arrangements to attach devices to a pyrometer, i.e. attaching an optical interface; Spatial relative arrangement of optical elements, e.g. folded beam path G01J5/049 takes precedence

Abstract

The present invention comprises a system and method for detecting multiple wavelength bands of infrared radiation. The present invention incorporates an optical concentrator or "optical funnel" to increase the energy density on the detection elements and discrete filters mounted in the funnels and a mounting structure for individual detector elements. An apparatus in accordance with the present invention is an advance over conventional infrared detector assemblies in several areas. The apparatus in accordance with the present invention provides a unified means for mounting detectors, optical concentrators and infrared filters. It also provides an efficient means for electrical connection to the detector elements. The present invention provides a mounting structure for the detectors bonding them directly to the body of the optical funnel and passing light into them from the "backside" of the detector elements. The present invention prevents cross talk by mounting the detector elements at the focused end of individual optical concentrators.

Claims

1. An optical detector array assembly comprising:

a plurality of multiple detectors; and

at least one concentrator means associated with one of the detectors, the detector being located in a pocket of the at least one concentrator means, the size of one of the detectors being minimized and a gap between the one of the detectors and other detectors in the plurality of multiple detectors being maximized by the at least one concentrator means.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the at least one concentrator means further comprises:

a holding means which includes the pocket for holding the detector means; and

a concentrator coupled to the holding means.

3. The assembly of claim 2 wherein the at least one concentrator means comprises a funnel-like shape in which includes a small opening at one end and a large opening at an opposite end, the detector being positioned within the small opening.

4. The assembly of claim 2 wherein in the concentrator includes a filter means.

5. The assembly of claim 3 wherein the filter is removable.

6. The assembly of claim 1 including a concentrator means associated with each of the plurality of detectors.

7. An optical detector array assembly comprising:

a plurality of detectors; and

a plurality of concentrator means associated with the plurality of detectors, the plurality of detectors being located in pockets of the plurality of concentrator means, the size of the plurality of detectors being minimized and gaps between the detectors being maximized by the plurality of concentrator means.

8. The assembly of claim 7 wherein the at least one concentrator means further comprises:

a holding means which includes the pocket for holding the detector means; and

a concentrator coupled to the holding means.

12. The assembly of claim 7 including a concentrator means associated with each of the plurality of detectors.

9. The assembly claimed 8 wherein each of the plurality of concentrator means comprises a funnel-like shape in which includes a small opening at one end and a large opening at an opposite end, a detector been positioned within the small opening.

10. The assembly of claim 9 wherein in the concentrator includes a filter means.

11. The assembly of claim 9 wherein the filter is removable.

13. An optical detector array assembly comprising:

a detector mounting plate;

a plurality of detectors coupled to one side of the detector mounting plate;

an optical concentrator array coupled to an opposite side of the detector mounting plate, the optical concentrator array comprising a plurality of funnel shaped members each of the plurality of funnel shaped members including a small opening at one end and a large opening at an opposite end, the plurality of detectors being positioned within a plurality of pockets at the small openings of the plurality of funnel shaped members, the size of the plurality of detectors being minimized and the gaps between the plurality of detectors being maximized by the optical concentrator array.

14. The optical array assembly of claim 13 which includes a plurality of filters, the plurality of filters being positioned at the large opening of the funnel shaped members and a filter mounting plate for holding the plurality of filters.

15. The optical array assembly of claim 13 which includes a lead frame member coupled to the plurality of detectors, the conductors of the lead frame assembly being composed substantially of copper.