Abstract: An infrared sensor comprises: a stem; a pyroelectric element arranged on one side of the stem; a conversion circuit for changing electric charge generated in the pyroelectric element into a signal; and a plurality of lead terminals formed so as to be extended to the other side of the stem and electrically connected to the conversion circuit, the lead terminals being fixed to the stem by caulking.

Abstract: High quality epitaxial layers of monocrystalline materials can be grown overlying large silicon wafers by first growing an accommodating buffer layer (104) on a silicon wafer (102). The accommodating buffer layer (104) is a layer of monocrystalline material spaced apart from the silicon wafer (102) by an amorphous interface layer (108) of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline accommodating buffer layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer. Utilizing this technique permits the fabrication of thin film pyroelectric devices (150) on a monocrystalline silicon substrate.

Abstract: A signal coupler is comprised of a transmitting section and a receiving section. The receiving section includes a polymer pyroelectric film element having a greater than 1% by volume of a high thermal diffusivity material, such as aluminum nitride, to improve the thermal diffusivity of the polymer film. A preferred embodiment of the transmitting section includes a thin film resistive heater to generate thermal pulses which are coupled to the receiving section by a thin film of thermal grease disposed between the receiving section and the transmitting section.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting a gas having distinct infrared radiation absorption characteristics. The apparatus includes a spectral source/bolometer for conducting an electrical current and for producing an infrared radiation. The source/bolometer is disposed along an axis and has a temperature and a characteristic resistance, and the characteristic resistance is a predetermined function of the temperature. A return reflector is disposed along the axis beyond the gas such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation passing through the gas is reflected back through the gas to the source/bolometer. The apparatus also includes a driver/detector for driving a current through the source/bolometer, for determining the characteristic resistance, and for detecting the gas from a variation of the characteristic resistance.

Abstract: A pyroelectric sensor having an active regulation for maximizing pyroelectric sensor sensitivity is disclosed. The pyroelectric sensor comprises a ferroelectric transducer, and a regulator. The ferroelectric transducer may either be a homogenous ferroelectric transducer, a compositionally graded ferroelectric transducer, or an externally graded ferroelectric transducer. The regulator may either be an excitation regulator or a temperature regulator. A method for regulating the excitation or the temperature of a pyroelectric sensor for maximizing sensitivity of the pyroelectric sensor is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric infrared detector includes a lattice matched substrate material and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. In a second embodiment, the ferroelectric/pyroelectric detector includes a colossal magneto-resistive template material to accommodate the use of a non-lattice matched substrate material, and a colossal magneto-resistive electrode material. The embodiments of the present invention provide a semi-transparent electrode material of the requisite lattice constant value, crystal orientation, and chemical compatibility.

Abstract: A signal processing technique applied to the readout of two-dimensional detector arrays provides a dynamic correction mechanism for the varying offsets of the different elements of the array. The outputs of the elements are supplied to an offset correction circuit operative to compensate for the differences in the d.c. or low frequency outputs from a predetermined voltage wherein a fraction of the difference is subtracted at each successive cycle to gradually reduce the difference.

Abstract: An infrared sensor comprises: a stem; a pyroelectric element arranged on one side of the stem; a conversion circuit for changing electric charge generated in the pyroelectric element into a signal; and a plurality of lead terminals formed so as to be extended to the other side of the stem and electrically connected to the conversion circuit, the lead terminals being fixed to the stem by caulking.

Abstract: An NDIR sensor includes a cylindrical metallic tube, a printed circuit board platform that fits into one end of the tube, a diffusion filter that fits into the opposite end of the tube, and an optical system. The optical system includes an infrared source on the platform, a mirror on the inner wall of the tube so as to reflect and focus the infrared light from the infrared source, and a detector assembly that receives the infrared light after reflection. The gas sensor may further include a partition between the infrared source and the detector assembly, a removable filter on the diffusion filter, connecting pins attached to the platform, and a sealing layer formed under the platform. The detector assembly includes a signal detector and a reference detector. A first and second bandpass filters are respectively formed on the signal and reference detectors.

Abstract: The present invention provides for an improved electromagnetic radiation detector having a micromachined electrostatic chopping device. The MEMS flexible film chopping device provides reliability, efficiency, noise reduction and temperature fluctuation compensation capabilities to the associated electromagnetic radiation detector. An electromagnetic radiation detector having an electrostatic chopper device comprises a detector material element, first and second electrodes in electrical contact with the detector material element and electrically isolated from one another. Additionally, the chopper device will incorporate a flexible film actuator overlying the detector material layer and moveable relative thereto. The flexible film actuator will typically include an electrode element and a biasing element such that the actuator remains in a fully curled, open state absent electrostatic voltage and moves to a fully uncurled, closed state upon the application of electrostatic voltage.

Abstract: Infrared solid-state imaging elements include an infrared absorbing section formed as to correspond to each pixel aligned in a two-dimensional pattern for absorbing incident infrared radiation and converting the same into heat. A temperature detector section is formed as to correspond to each pixel on a semiconductor substrate and are arranged of a plurality of serially connected silicon pn junction diodes that are biased in a forward direction. A hollow section is formed on each region on which the temperature detector section is formed on the semiconductor substrate. Supporting mechanisms are arranged of materials exhibiting large thermal resistance and which support the temperature detector portion above the hollow section on the semiconductor substrate. A joint column thermally couples the infrared absorbing section and the temperature detector section.

Abstract: An apparatus that determines properties of a cooktop is provided. The cooktop includes a cooktop surface and a vessel that is selectively placed on the cooktop surface. The apparatus comprises a radiation sensor positioned below the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor senses at least a portion of, at least one of reflected radiation and ambient radiation that are provided above the cooktop surface and that pass through the cooktop surface. The radiation sensor also generates a detected radiation signal based on the sensed radiation. A processor is connected to the radiation sensor, and the processor determines properties of the cooktop from analyzing the detected radiation signal.

Abstract: An infrared photosensitive area is constituted by an infrared ray absorbing part that is heated by infrared rays, a thermal detector that detects the temperature change of the infrared ray absorbing part, and electrodes that are electrically connected to the thermal detector. The infrared photosensitive area is held up above one surface of a substrate by supports. The electrodes of the infrared photosensitive area are electrically connected to contact pads on the substrate by wiring material that constitutes the support. A shield projects from portions of the infrared ray absorbing part other than portions that correspond to the electrodes. The contact pads of the substrate and the surfaces of the electrodes and the supports that are directed away from the substrate are covered by the shield with an interposed space. This configuration enables an increase in the fill factor of the picture elements of the thermal infrared detector and enables greater absorption of infrared light.

Abstract: A thermal type infrared ray detector with a thermal separation structure includes a plurality of picture elements. Each of the plurality of picture elements includes a circuit formed in a substrate for every picture element, and a light receiving section converting infrared rays into change of a resistance or a charge quantity. The circuit generates a voltage signal from the resistance change or the charge quantity change. Beams mechanically support the light receiving section from the substrate to form a gap between the light receiving section and the substrate, and electrically connect the light receiving section to the circuit. Each of the beams includes a wiring line film formed of Ti alloy and connecting the light receiving section to the circuit, and a protective insulating film surrounding the wiring line film. In this case, the Ti alloy may be TiAl6V4.

Abstract: An infrared ray sensor includes two electrode lines, a heat sensing section and a control unit. The heat sensing section is connected between the two electrode lines, and includes a film formed of a material in which resistivity of the material changes along a hysteresis curve depending on temperature change. The heat sensing section receives an infrared ray to change the resistivity. The control unit is connected to between the two electrode lines. The control unit operates to the heat sensing section such that the heat sensing section undergoes a temperature cycle. The temperature cycle is composed of a temperature increasing process and a temperature decreasing process, and the resistivity of the material changes along a part of the hysteresis curve during the temperature cycle. Also, the control unit detects a temperature due to the infrared ray based on a result of the temperature cycle.

Abstract: A thermal imaging device comprises an array of microbridges(10) disposed on a silicon readout circuit substrate (12). Each microbridge (10) is supported above the substrate (12) by electrodes (14 and 16) so that a cavity (26) is present between the microbridge (10) and the substrate (12). Each microbridge (10) has a collecting area, a region of which is occupied by a ferroelectric active element (20) which converts to received thermal radiation into an electrical response. Radiation which is received by regions of the collecting area not occupied by the active element (20) is converted into heat energy and then transmitted to the active element (20) by conduction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an infrared detector element to detect infrared rays by means of a pyroelectric material, and an infrared sensor unit and an infrared detecting device using the infrared detector element and has an object of realizing an omnidirectional infrared detector element that can gain an output against an object to be detected moving in whatever directions.

Abstract: An infrared ray receiving element includes a substrate made of a pyroelectric material and having at least one cantilever portion surrounded by a slit, in which at least a part of the cantilever portion in the substrate is uniformly polarized in the same direction and the remainder in the substrate includes a portion polarized at random. At least a pair of electrodes are respectively provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of the cantilever portion.

Abstract: An infrared optical gas sensor is improved with respect to the quality of the measured signal. The infrared radiation detectors (4, 6) used as the reference radiation and measuring radiation detectors include thin layers of a partially transparent material, which sends an electric measured signal that depends on the radiation intensity received. The infrared radiation detectors are arranged stacked one over the other and with an interposed narrow-band filter (3, 5) each, which are transparent at the measuring wavelength. The infrared radiation detectors have an electrically conductive coating on the top side and the underside and are contacted.

Abstract: A thermal detector device comprising an array of thermal detector elements, an array of microbridge structures comprising the array of thermal detector elements, readout silicon integrated circuitry (ROIC) and an interconnect layer on which the array of microbridge structures are arranged. The interconnect layer comprises a plurality of conducting interconnect channels providing an electrical connection between the microbridge structures and input contacts on the ROIC such that the microbridge structures are in electrical contact with, but are separated from, the readout silicon integrated circuitry. As the interconnect layer separates the microbridge structures from the ROIC, the detector material, typically a ferroelectric material, may be fabricated on the microbridge structures at a deposition or anneal temperature which is not limited by the avoidance of damage to the ROIC. Deposition temperatures of at least 500° C. or, preferably, at higher temperatures e.g. 700° C.-900° C.

Abstract: An improved gas detector apparatus includes a spectral source/bolometer for conducting an electrical current and for producing infrared radiation. The source/bolometer has a characteristic resistance that is a predetermined function of the source/bolometer temperature. A concentrating reflector directs the infrared radiation through a spectral filter and the gas. A return reflector is disposed along the axis beyond the spectral filer and the gas, such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation passing through the filter and the gas is reflected back through the gas and the filter to the source/bolometer. A driver/detector drives a current through the source/bolometer, determines the characteristic resistance of the source/bolometer, and detects the gas from a variation of the characteristic resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pyroelectric detector with significantly reduced microphonic noise sensitivity that includes a pyroelectric detector element constructed from a z-cut LiNbO3 or LiTaO3 electret. Selective domain reversal is accomplished in the electret by applying an electric field. Electrodes are attached to either surface of the electret spanning the domain reversed region and a portion of the original domain region to create areas of equal and opposite sensitivity. The detector is mounted in an electrically grounded container or housing. The detector may also be constructed having multiple detector regions to accommodate resonant acoustic frequencies of the electret, to function as a position sensor, or both. In other words, the position sensor has multiple domain regions that also accommodate acoustic frequencies.

Abstract: An infrared optical gas sensor is improved with respect to the quality of the measured signal. The infrared radiation detectors (4, 6) used as the reference radiation and measuring radiation detectors include thin layers of a partially transparent material, which sends an electric measured signal that depends on the radiation intensity received. The infrared radiation detectors are arranged stacked one over the other and with an interposed narrow-band filter (3, 5) each, which are transparent at the measuring wavelength. The infrared radiation detectors have an electrically conductive coating on the top side and the underside and are contacted.

Abstract: Arrays of pyroelectric elements are used in surveillance systems by focusing the radiation from a scene on to them and examining the output from the array. If an object is moved into the scene and left stationary, it will hinder the subsequent operation of the system by masking part of the scene from the field of view of the array; this fault condition may be detected by the following procedure. At intervals arrangements are made to move the image of the scene to and from across the array using a suitable transducer and the outputs from the array are examined. The outputs from the array when the scene is in its normal condition and the image is moved across the array comprise a set of signals corresponding to a reference image, which may be compared with the corresponding outputs from the array when the image is moved across the array on a subsequent occasion.

Abstract: A pyroelectric detector circuit comprises a pyroelectric sensor element connected to a load resistor and to an input of a buffer amplifier having a feedback path for multiplying the resistance of the load resistor at non-zero frequencies. This feedback enables the use of a smaller load resistor which is multiplied to produce a higher effective load resistance necessary for proper low frequency response of the detector circuit.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. Charge integration circuitry, such as a combination capacitor and operational amplifier, is employed to measure the charge from the element. A mechanical shutter is not used, and thus the charge integration output from the element is directly proportional to the incident radiation thereof.

Abstract: A ferroelectric ceramic for use as a pyroelectric is provided. In a disclosed embodiment, the ceramic has the composition: Pb1+&dgr;{[(Mg⅓Nb⅔)y(Zr1−xTix)1−y]1−zAz}O3 where: 0.05≧67 ≧0 0.42≧x>0 0.42≧y>0 0.05≧z>0 and wherein A is a cationic multivalent octahedral site substituent. The ferroelectric ceramic is useful as an active pyroelectric material in infrared detecting devices.

Abstract: The invention provides a compact and high performance infrared radiation detector. The infrared radiation detector contains: a substrate; and at least two infrared radiation detector units selected from the group consisting of a pyroelectric infrared radiation detector unit, a resistive bolometer type infrared radiation detector unit and a ferroelectric bolometer type infrared radiation detector unit, the infrared radiation detector units being disposed on the same side of the substrate.

Abstract: In an infrared-rays detector, a pyroelectric element detects existence or movement of a human body, and the output signal of the pyroelectric element is converted to a voltage signal. Then, the voltage signal is subjected to waveform analysis. Then, a detection signal is outputted only when a waveform generated by a human body is detected by the waveform analysis. For example, the voltage signal is amplified at two different frequency ranges, and the amplified signals are used for discriminating a signal due to a human body. Then, a noise such as a popcorn noise of the pyroelectric element is prevented to be detected erroneously as generated by a human body.

Abstract: A ferroelectric/pyroelectric sensor that employs a technique for determining a charge output of a pyroelectric element of the sensor by measuring the hysteresis loop output of the element several times during a particular time frame for the same temperature. An external AC signal is applied to the pyroelectric element to cause the hysteresis loop output from the element to switch polarization. The frequency of the external AC signal is greater than the frequency of a chopper selectively applying a reference temperature and a scene temperature alternately to the pyroelectric element. Each time the chopper provides the reference temperature or the scene temperature to the element, the alternating external source covers multiple cycles so that the hysteresis loop output is switched multiple times for increased signal averaging.

Abstract: An infrared sensor has a stem with a metallic base serving as a ground and a ground terminal extending from the metallic base; a substrate disposed on the metallic base; a field effect transistor attached to the substrate; a pyroelectric element connected between the gate of the field effect transistor and ground; and a capacitor connected between ground and either the drain terminal or the source terminal of the field effect transistor. One of the electrodes of the capacitor is directly connected to the metallic base of the stem, while the other electrode of the capacitor is directly connected to the corresponding terminal by a conductive bonding material.

Abstract: An infrared ray receiving element includes a substrate made of a pyroelectric material and having at least one cantilever portion surrounded by a slit, in which at least a part of the cantilever portion in the substrate is uniformly polarized in the same direction and the remainder in the substrate includes a portion polarized at random. At least a pair of electrodes are respectively provided on a top surface and a bottom surface of the cantilever portion.

Abstract: An infrared photosensitive area is constituted by an infrared ray absorbing part that is heated by infrared rays, a thermal detector that detects the temperature change of the infrared ray absorbing part, and electrodes that are electrically connected to the thermal detector. The infrared photosensitive area is held up above one surface of a substrate by supports. The electrodes of the infrared photosensitive area are electrically connected to contact pads on the substrate by wiring material that constitutes the support. A shield projects from portions of the infrared ray absorbing part other than portions that correspond to the electrodes. The contact pads of the substrate and the surfaces of the electrodes and the supports that are directed away from the substrate are covered by the shield with an interposed space. This configuration enables an increase in the fill factor of the picture elements of the thermal infrared detector and enables greater absorption of infrared light.

Abstract: A thermal type infrared sensing device has; a plurality of light-receiving electrodes for outputting a change of surface charge associated with a polarization that occurs in a dielectric when subjected to infrared radiation; and a plurality of compensation electrodes, corresponding one for one to plurality of light-receiving electrodes, for compensating the outputs of corresponding light-receiving electrodes, and wherein plurality of compensation electrodes are formed on a different substrate from a substrate on which plurality of light-receiving electrodes are formed.

Abstract: This invention is related to the field of uncooled infrared (IR) detector technology, and it particularly demonstrates the use of thin film structures on oxidized silicon consisting of Guanine Cytosine (GC)—rich double-stranded DNAs and peptide nucleic acid (PNAs) helices and the current CMOS electronic circuits for optimizing the IR detector performance of uncooled microbolometer technology. PNAs are a new class of DNA mimics in which the regular nucleotide bases of adenine, thymine, cytosine and guanine are connected via a peptide-like backbone (Ref. 1). PNA molecules retain the same Watson-Crick base pairing as regular oligonucleotides, with the added benefits of resistance to enzyme digestion.

Abstract: A device for finding a position of a human comprises a micro controller, a pyro-electrical infrared sensing unit, a first motor, a rotating speed feed back unit, an ultrasonic sensing unit and a second motor. The infrared sensing unit is fitted to an edge of a disc coupled to the shaft of the first motor. The rotating speed feed back unit has a rotating disc which is also coupled to the shaft of the first motor. The ultrasonic sensing unit is fitted to an edge of a second disc coupled to the shaft of the second motor such that it can move with rotating of the second disc. The micro controller activates the first motor and the infrared sensing unit to search for a human, and figures out the direction of that human by means of the rotating speed feed back unit. At the same time, the controller activates the second motor for the ultrasonic unit to be directed to the found human; thus, the distance from that human to the device is available.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection of electromagnetic radiation comprising at least two elementary detectors (Dij), each elementary detector (Dij) comprising a first conductive terminal (pija) and a second conductive terminal (pijb) for sampling an electric signal representative of the detected radiation. The detection device incorporates first means (Iija) for connecting or disconnecting a first conductive terminal of the elementary detector (pija) with respect to a first input terminal of a processing circuit and second means (Iijb) for connecting or disconnecting a second conductive terminal (pijb) of the detector (Dij) with respect to a second input terminal of the processing circuit (Tj).

Abstract: Sensors using detector arrays (1) are intended for identifying events within a scene (12). A sensor comprising an array of pyroelectric infrared detectors (1) is mounted directly onto an integrated readout circuit (2) so that each of its elements is in electrical contact with one of the inputs to the readout circuit. The detector array (1) on its readout circuit (2) is positioned at the focus of an infrared transmitting lens (11) so that an image of a scene (12) is formed on the array. The readout circuit (2) and array (1) are enclosed in a package (18) which is connected via a circuit board (19) to a microprocessor (20). The microprocessor (20) and readout circuit (2) work together to detect the occurrence and position of events within a scene (12). Application examples are the detection and identification of location of flames or intruders within the field of view.

Abstract: An infrared sensor is formed with a first infrared detecting element for infrared detection disposed in a container through a supporting substrate, and a second infrared detecting element for temperature compensation also disposed in the container to be shielded by the supporting substrate of the first infrared detecting element from incident infrared within the container, while a temperature sensing section of the first infrared detecting element is born in non-contacting state with respect to a supporting part of the substrate for the element, whereby the sensitivity can be remarkably improved with a simpler arrangement while keeping a high precision and inexpensiveness.

Abstract: A pyroelectric infrared array sensor has a pyroelectric element on which a plurality of sensing sections are formed, each of which has upper and lower electrodes which confront each other through the pyroelectric element. To fixedly secure the pyroelectric element to a substrate, lead conductors extended from sensing sections located adjacent to the edges of the light receiving surface of the pyroelectric element are fixedly connected to the substrate by conductive paste. The lower electrodes are connected to solder bumps on the substrate with conductive paste. The respective dimensions of the solder bumps can be adjusted so as to adjust the amount of heat conducted away from the sensing sections and thereby make the heat-sensitivity of the sensing sections more uniform. Alternatively or in addition, the amount of conductive paste used to connect the lower electrodes to the solder bumps can be adjusted for the same purpose.