Bandgap radiation detector

• US 6,201,242 B1
• Filed: 06/10/1999
• Issued: 03/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Eden, Dayton Dale, Case, William Edward, Schimert, Thomas Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Buczinski, Stephen C.
• Application Number:
  US09/330,465
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 250/332, 250/338.4, 257/436, 257/442
• US Class Current: 250/332
• CPC Class Codes: G01J 5/10 using electric radiation detectors

Abstract

An infrared radiation detector device has an array of detectors each of which comprises a pattern of parallel detector elements. Each detector produces a pixel signal for an image. The elements of the detector are photoconductive or photovoltaic bandgap materials, and the elements are spaced apart at a dimension which is equal to or less than the wavelength of the radiation to be received. Additional layered structures above and/or below the detector elements provide impedance matching between free space radiation and the radiation impedance of the detector elements to increase the capture of radiation.

Claims

1. A quantum infrared radiation detector for detecting infrared radiation which is essentially in a band defined by a first wavelength and a second, longer, wavelength, comprising:

a diffraction grating which includes a plurality of periodically spaced quantum detector elements,

a reflector of said infrared radiation, said reflector offset from said diffraction grating to form an optical cavity for said infrared radiation, and

electrical conductors connected to said quantum detector elements for carrying a detection signal which is produced when said detector receives said infrared radiation.

2. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said quantum detector elements are periodically spaced apart by a distance equal to or less than said first wavelength.

3. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said reflector is a metal layer.

4. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said reflector is a multi-layer dielectric.

5. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said quantum detector elements are photoconductive elements.

6. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said quantum detector elements are photovoltaic elements.

7. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said quantum detector elements comprise mercury cadmium telluride.

8. An infrared radiation detector as recited in claim 1 wherein said quantum detector elements are parallel, elongate strips comprising quantum detector material.