Thermal detector and method
First Claim
1. A method for producing an image representative of an amount of thermal radiation incident to a thermal imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming a layer of temperature sensitive material as a thermal detector and first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having one of a resistance and capacitance value depending on its temperature;
forming a second element of the signal-producing circuit complementary and electrically coupled to the first element;
providing an output signal having an amplitude from the signal-producing circuit, the amplitude of the output signal depending on the value of the first element and representing a temperature of the detector; and
monitoring the amplitude of the output signal of the signal-producing circuit so as to detect a change in the temperature of the thermal detector.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal imaging system (10) for providing an image representative of an amount of thermal radiation incident to the system is provided. The system (10) includes a thermal detector (28 or 30) made from a layer of temperature sensitive material forming a first element of a signal-producing circuit (54). The first element (28 or 30) has either a resistance or capacitance value depending on its temperature. The system (10) also includes an integrated circuit substrate (32) having a second element (56 or 58) of the signal-producing circuit (54) complementary and electrically coupled to the first element (28 or 30). The signal-producing circuit (54) may produce an output signal having a amplitude. The amplitude of the output signal is monitored as representing an absolute temperature of the detector (28 or 30) so as to determine the amount of thermal energy incident to the system (10).
46 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for producing an image representative of an amount of thermal radiation incident to a thermal imaging system, the method comprising the steps of:
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forming a layer of temperature sensitive material as a thermal detector and first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having one of a resistance and capacitance value depending on its temperature; forming a second element of the signal-producing circuit complementary and electrically coupled to the first element; providing an output signal having an amplitude from the signal-producing circuit, the amplitude of the output signal depending on the value of the first element and representing a temperature of the detector; and monitoring the amplitude of the output signal of the signal-producing circuit so as to detect a change in the temperature of the thermal detector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A thermal imaging system for providing an image representative of an amount of thermal radiation incident to the system, the system comprising:
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a focal plane array comprising a plurality of thermal detectors, each detector comprising a layer of temperature sensitive material forming a first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having one of a resistance and capacitance value depending on its temperature; an integrated circuit substrate comprising a plurality of second elements, each of the second elements part of one of a plurality of signal-producing circuits and complementary and electrically coupled to an associated first element, each signal-producing circuit operable to produce an output signal having an amplitude; and wherein the amplitude of each output signal is monitorable as representing an absolute temperature of the detector so as to determine the amount of thermal energy incident to the detector. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A thermal imaging system for providing an image representative of thermal radiation incident to the system, the system comprising:
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an array of thermal detectors, each detector comprising a layer of temperature sensitive material forming a first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having at least one of a resistance and capacitance value that depends on its temperature; an array of the signal-producing circuits, each circuit comprising a second element complementary and electrically coupled to an associated first element, the signal-producing circuit operable to produce an output signal having an amplitude; and wherein the amplitude of the output signal is monitored as representing an absolute temperature of the detector so as to determine the amount of thermal energy incident to the system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification