Abstract: An infrared detector including an array of detection bolometers each having a bolometric membrane suspended above a substrate, and associated with each bolometer: a detection branch, including the bolometer and a circuit performing a biasing according to a voltage set point, a compensation branch, including a compensation bolometer thermalized to the substrate, a circuit performing a biasing according to a voltage set point, an integrator for generating a voltage by integrating a difference between the currents flowing through said branches, a circuit generating a quantity depending on substrate temperature, including: a bolometer thermalized to the substrate, and a circuit for biasing the bolometer, and a circuit for generating the voltage set points according to said quantity. When the array is exposed to a uniform reference scene, the average of the differences between currents flowing through said branches is within the integrator dynamic range for a substrate temperature range from ?30° C.-90° C.

Abstract: Image correction methods and systems are disclosed that correct raw values, including, subsequent to closing the shutter, acquiring a current raw value table, determining an offset correction table for the current temperature of the detector as a function of the current table and a set of stored raw value tables, and correcting the stream of raw values using the offset correction table. A maintenance process includes testing a condition for replacing a table of the current set with the current table, and if the condition is met, replacing the table of the current set with the current table. This test includes determining whether there is a new set of tables obtained by replacing a table from the current set with the current table that is more relevant than the current set with regard to subsequently determining an offset table.

Abstract: A method of assembling and hermetically sealing a package including a side wall mounted on a substrate, with the space thus defined accommodating a component that operates in a controlled atmosphere, the space being closed off by a hermetic sealing cover mounted on said side wall. This method involves depositing a metallic connector element, also referred to as a brazing preform, on the upper face of the side wall; depositing the upper cover on, and in contact with, the brazing preform; subjecting the assembly thus obtained to the desired environment in terms of the kind of gas and operating pressure of the component; increasing the temperature to a value that is at least in excess of the melting temperature of the material that constitutes the brazing preform; then lowering said temperature in order to cause solidification of said brazing material and, consequently, sealing of the cover on the side wall.

Abstract: This electromagnetic radiation detector consists of a plurality of elementary detection micro-sites, each including a micro-detector provided with a membrane (2) that is sensitive to the radiation in question and each being provided in a micro-cavity or micro-capsule defined by a substrate (1), by an upper wall (5) used as a window that is transparent to said radiation and by side walls (4), said membrane (2) being suspended above substrate (1) by means of at least two support arms (6) that include an electrically conducting layer (17), with the ends of said arms (6) being anchored in side walls (4).

Abstract: The infrared detector includes a sensitive retina capable of detecting a radiation in the wavelength range between 8 and 14 micrometers; and a package containing the sensitive retina and including a window located opposite to the retina, said window comprising a substrate at least partially transparent in the wavelength range between 2 and 14 micrometers; and a set of optical filters formed on the window to attenuate an incident radiation on the retina in a wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, and respectively an optical filter formed on a first surface of the window and attenuating the incident radiation in a first interval of the wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, and a periodic diffraction grating formed on a second surface of the window and attenuating the incident radiation in a second interval of the wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, different from the first interval.

Abstract: An infrared detector including an array of detection bolometers each having a bolometric membrane suspended above a substrate, and associated with each bolometer: a detection branch, including the bolometer and a circuit performing a biasing according to a voltage set point, a compensation branch, including a compensation bolometer thermalized to the substrate, a circuit performing a biasing according to a voltage set point, an integrator for generating a voltage by integrating a difference between the currents flowing through said branches, a circuit generating a quantity depending on substrate temperature, including: a bolometer thermalized to the substrate, and a circuit for biasing the bolometer, and a circuit for generating the voltage set points according to said quantity. When the array is exposed to a uniform reference scene, the average of the differences between currents flowing through said branches is within the integrator dynamic range for a substrate temperature range from ?30° C.-90° C.

Abstract: An electromagnetic radiation detection device including multiple elementary detectors grouped into one or more sub-assemblies each including several elementary detectors, where each elementary detector is connected by an interconnection to an impedance-matching device. The impedance-matching device is common to all the elementary detectors of a single sub-assembly, in each sub-assembly the interconnections have roughly the same resistance value.

Abstract: A method for detecting infrared radiation by using an array of bolometers. The following steps are used to read a bolometer of the array of bolometers: biasing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage in order to make current flow through the bolometer; subtracting a common-mode current from the current that flows through the bolometers; and producing a voltage by integrating the difference between the current that flows through the bolometers and the common-mode current.

Abstract: The imaging system for imaging field rays comprises a detection surface, a device for focusing the field rays with said detection surface, and a diaphragm. Said device comprises a Fresnel lens comprising a first dioptre, the non-plane surface of which, called the active zone, makes it possible to focus the field rays towards said detection surface, and said diaphragm allows controlled distribution of the field rays over said active zone.

Abstract: An infrared radiation detection device comprising: a substrate; a matrix of at least one line of elements for detecting the radiation, each comprising a resistive imaging bolometer, the matrix being formed above the substrate; a bolometer reading circuit, a temperature measuring device for measuring the temperature in at least one point of the substrate; and a compensation circuit and data processing device for correcting the signal formed from each bolometer as a function of the temperature measured in at least one point of the substrate. The compensation circuit and data processing device capable of correcting the signal formed from the imaging bolometer by using a predetermined physical model of the temperature behavior of the signal.

Abstract: A device for detecting infrared radiation comprising an array of bolometers for detecting radiation; and in order to read each bolometer, a signal shaping circuitry comprising: a circuitry capable of biasing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage in order to make current flow therethrough; a circuitry capable of generating a common-mode current; and a circuitry capable of integrating the difference between the current that flows through the bolometer and the common-mode current. According to the invention, the device comprises a circuitry capable of injecting current into each bolometer in order to shift its resistance by a predetermined quantity that depends on its offset, current injection being performed prior to readout biasing of the bolometer and the shift being performed according to the direction in which the bolometer's resistance varies as a function of temperature. In addition, correction circuitry is capable of shifting the resistances of bolometers towards a common value.

Abstract: An ADC includes a single circuit for generating reference voltages that are constant and then decreasing over time. The ADC includes a constant current source and a resistive bridge connected to the current source. A voltage source produces a decreasing voltage on a node of the bridge. The ADC also includes a contact breaker for the connection of the voltage source to the node. The ADC also includes a digitization circuit which includes a means for comparing a voltage, a means for selecting a reference voltage, a means for counting, and a means for storing on the one hand, a reference associated with the constant reference voltage which is immediately lower than or equal to the voltage for conversion, and on the other hand, the number of counted time units.

Abstract: A method corrects a gain table by a correction of the response dispersion of resistive bolometers of a bolometric detector of a bolometer retina.

Abstract: The infrared detector includes a sensitive retina capable of detecting a radiation in the wavelength range between 8 and 14 micrometers; and a package containing the sensitive retina and including a window located opposite to the retina, said window comprising a substrate at least partially transparent in the wavelength range between 2 and 14 micrometers; and a set of optical filters formed on the window to attenuate an incident radiation on the retina in a wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, and respectively an optical filter formed on a first surface of the window and attenuating the incident radiation in a first interval of the wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, and a periodic diffraction grating formed on a second surface of the window and attenuating the incident radiation in a second interval of the wavelength range between 2 and 8 micrometers, different from the first interval.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the resistance of a bolometer in a bolometer matrix of a sensor, said sensor comprising a circuit for reading said matrix which is capable of addressing said bolometer. According to the invention, the method comprises a step (46) of adjusting the recurrence of addressing the bolometer using the read circuit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting electromagnetic radiation comprising: a resistive bolometer, a biasing circuit capable of biasing said bolometer with a predetermined bias voltage, a rejection module capable of generating a common mode current, a measuring circuit capable of being connected to a bolometer and a rejection module in order to measure the difference between the current flowing through the bolometer when it is biased and the common mode current generated by the rejection module. According to the invention, rejection module comprises: a module for estimating a current that flows through resistive bolometer when it is subjected to the bias voltage and made insensitive to the electromagnetic radiation; and a current generator which is controlled by the estimation module and generates the current estimated by the latter as a common mode current.

Abstract: An infrared radiation detection device comprising: a substrate; a matrix of at least one line of elements for detecting said radiation, each comprising a resistive imaging bolometer, said matrix being formed above the substrate; means for reading the bolometers of the matrix, means for measuring the temperature in at least one point of the substrate; and means for correcting the signal formed from each bolometer as a function of the temperature measured in at least one point of the substrate. The correcting means are capable of correcting the signal formed from the imaging bolometer by means of a predetermined physical model of the temperature behaviour of said signal.

Abstract: A method of assembling and hermetically sealing a package including a side wall mounted on a substrate, with the space thus defined accommodating a component that operates in a controlled atmosphere, the space being closed off by a hermetic sealing cover mounted on said side wall. This method involves depositing a metallic connector element, also referred to as a brazing preform, on the upper face of the side wall; depositing the upper cover on, and in contact with, the brazing preform; subjecting the assembly thus obtained to the desired environment in terms of the kind of gas and operating pressure of the component; increasing the temperature to a value that is at least in excess of the melting temperature of the material that constitutes the brazing preform; then lowering said temperature in order to cause solidification of said brazing material and, consequently, sealing of the cover on the side wall.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for the detection of an electromagnetic radiation including: a substrate; a resistive imaging bolometer; a circuit for polarizing the bolometer at a predetermined voltage; a rejection circuit generating a common mode current, comprising a compensation bolometer thermalized in the substrate and a polarization circuit thereof; and a measuring circuit for measuring the difference between the current flowing in the imaging bolometer when it is polarized and the common mode current generated by the rejection circuit. According to the invention, the rejection circuit further comprises a current generator capable of producing a current that simulates the current induced by the self-heating of the imaging bolometer under the effect of its polarization, the sum of the current passing through the compensation bolometer and the current generated by the current generator forming the common mode current.

Abstract: A detector for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes a substrate and at least one microstructure including a radiation-sensitive membrane extending substantially opposite and away from the substrate. The membrane is mechanically attached to at least two longilinear, collinear retention elements, at least one of which is mechanically connected to the substrate by an intermediate post. The membrane is in electrical continuity with the substrate. At least two collinear legs are attached to each other at the level of their ends which are attached to the membrane by a mechanical connector which is substantially co-planar with the legs and membrane. The other end of at least one of the legs is integral with a rigid cross piece which is substantially co-planar with the legs and extends substantially at right angles relative to the main dimension of the legs. The cross piece is integral with the post which is integral with the substrate.