Microbolometer contact systems and methods
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An infrared imaging device comprising:
- a substrate having a first metal layer disposed at least partially on a surface of the substrate;
an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts, wherein each contact comprises;
a second metal layer;
a metal stud having a first end and a second end and disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, wherein the first end is disposed on a portion of the first metal layer that is at least partially on the surface of the substrate;
wherein the second metal layer forms part of a leg metal layer to couple with an infrared detector within the infrared detector array and wherein the second metal layer covers a surface of the second end and wraps around an outer edge of the surface of the second end of the metal stud;
wherein a portion of the second metal layer that wraps around the outer edge of the second end forms a depression in the second metal layer;
a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills the depression in the second metal layer; and
a first passivation layer formed on the third metal layer.
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Abstract
Systems and methods are directed to contacts for an infrared detector. For example, an infrared imaging device includes a substrate having a first metal layer and an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts. Each contact includes for an embodiment a second metal layer formed on the first metal layer; a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills an inner portion of the contact; and a first passivation layer formed on the third metal layer.
24 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An infrared imaging device comprising:
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a substrate having a first metal layer disposed at least partially on a surface of the substrate; an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts, wherein each contact comprises; a second metal layer; a metal stud having a first end and a second end and disposed between the first metal layer and the second metal layer, wherein the first end is disposed on a portion of the first metal layer that is at least partially on the surface of the substrate; wherein the second metal layer forms part of a leg metal layer to couple with an infrared detector within the infrared detector array and wherein the second metal layer covers a surface of the second end and wraps around an outer edge of the surface of the second end of the metal stud; wherein a portion of the second metal layer that wraps around the outer edge of the second end forms a depression in the second metal layer; a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills the depression in the second metal layer; and a first passivation layer formed on the third metal layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An infrared imaging device comprising:
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a substrate having a first metal layer disposed at least partially on a surface of the substrate; an infrared detector array coupled to the substrate via a plurality of contacts, wherein each contact comprises; a metal stud having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is formed on the first metal layer on at least a portion disposed on the surface of the substrate; a second metal layer covering a surface of the second end and wrapping around an outer edge of the surface of the second end of the metal stud; wherein a portion of the second metal layer that wraps around the outer edge of the second end forms a depression in the second metal layer and a third metal layer formed on the second metal layer, wherein the third metal layer at least partially fills the depression in the second metal layer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification