Abstract: In an optical element, diffractive focusing features and diffractive anti-reflection features can extend into a first surface of a body, such as by etching. The diffractive focusing features can have a same first depth that is greater than a wavelength, and can be located in a first area to have a duty cycle that varies over the first area. The diffractive anti-reflection features can have a same second depth that is less than the wavelength. In some examples, an effective refractive index of the diffractive focusing features and the diffractive anti-reflection features, together, can be less than or equal to a specified value, such as 120% of a square root of a refractive index of a material of the body. In other examples, the diffractive anti-reflection features can be located in the first area to have a duty cycle that is constant over the first area.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a substrate, a cap, a thermoelectric detector, and an insulation layer. The cap is attached to the substrate and includes an extending portion. The cap is configured to receive thermal energy from a heat generating device. The thermoelectric detector is in thermal communication with the cap to generate an electrical output in response to the thermal energy. The insulation layer is positioned between the cap and the substrate and the insulation layer is substantially co-planar with the extending portion of the cap.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a substrate, a cap, a thermoelectric detector, and an insulation layer. The cap is attached to the substrate and includes an extending portion. The cap is configured to receive thermal energy from a heat generating device. The thermoelectric detector is in thermal communication with the cap to generate an electrical output in response to the thermal energy. The insulation layer is positioned between the cap and the substrate and the insulation layer is substantially co-planar with the extending portion of the cap.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a cap and a thermopile. The cap is coupled to a heat generating device for receiving thermal energy therefrom. The thermopile includes superlattice quantum well materials and an absorber for contacting the cap to receive the thermal energy and to generate an electrical output to one of store the electrical output on a storage device and power a first device with the electrical output in response to the thermal energy.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a substrate, a cap, a thermoelectric detector, and an insulation layer. The cap is attached to the substrate and includes an extending portion. The cap is configured to receive thermal energy from a heat generating device. The thermoelectric detector is in thermal communication with the cap to generate an electrical output in response to the thermal energy. The insulation layer is positioned between the cap and the substrate and the insulation layer is substantially co-planar with the extending portion of the cap.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) detector including a plurality of thermal sensing elements for generating an image of an object is provided. The IR detector comprises a first thermal sensing element and includes a thermopile and a first switch. The thermopile is configured to receive at least a portion of a thermal output from the object and to provide a modulated electrical output indicative of at least a portion of the received thermal output. The first switch is operatively coupled to the thermopile and is configured to provide a bypass in the event the thermopile is damaged such that remaining thermal sensing elements of the plurality of thermal sensing elements are capable of providing an electrical output therefrom.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment a thermoelectric generator is provided. The thermoelectric generator includes a cap and a thermopile. The cap is coupled to a heat generating device for receiving thermal energy therefrom. The thermopile includes superlattice quantum well materials and an absorber for contacting the cap to receive the thermal energy and to generate an electrical output to one of store the electrical output on a storage device and power a first device with the electrical output in response to the thermal energy.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an infrared (IR) sensor comprising a thermopile is provided. The thermopile comprises a substrate and an absorber. The absorber is positioned above the substrate and a gap is formed between the absorber and the substrate. The absorber receives IR from a scene and generates an electrical output indicative of a temperature of the scene. The absorber is formed of a super lattice quantum well structure such that the absorber is thermally isolated from the substrate. In another embodiment, a method for forming an infrared (IR) detector is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate and forming an absorber with a plurality of alternating first and second layers with a super lattice quantum well structure. The method further comprises positioning the absorber about the substrate such that a gap is formed to cause the absorber to be suspended about the substrate.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an infrared (IR) sensor comprising a thermopile is provided. The thermopile comprises a substrate and an absorber. The absorber is positioned above the substrate and a gap is formed between the absorber and the substrate. The absorber receives IR from a scene and generates an electrical output indicative of a temperature of the scene. The absorber is formed of a super lattice quantum well structure such that the absorber is thermally isolated from the substrate. In another embodiment, a method for forming an infrared (IR) detector is provided. The method comprises forming a substrate and forming an absorber with a plurality of alternating first and second layers with a super lattice quantum well structure. The method further comprises positioning the absorber about the substrate such that a gap is formed to cause the absorber to be suspended about the substrate.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, a sensing apparatus is provided. The sensing apparatus comprises a substrate, a thermopile, and a readout circuit. The thermopile includes an absorber positioned above the substrate for receiving thermal energy and for generating an electrical output indicative of the thermal energy. The readout circuit is positioned below the absorber and includes at least one first switch positioned therein for being electrically coupled to the thermopile to provide a bypass in the event the thermopile is damaged.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) detector including a plurality of thermal sensing elements for generating an image of an object is provided. The IR detector comprises a first thermal sensing element and includes a thermopile and a first switch. The thermopile is configured to receive at least a portion of a thermal output from the object and to provide a modulated electrical output indicative of at least a portion of the received thermal output. The first switch is operatively coupled to the thermopile and is configured to provide a bypass in the event the thermopile is damaged such that remaining thermal sensing elements of the plurality of thermal sensing elements are capable of providing an electrical output therefrom.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an infrared (IR) detector for generating an image of an object is provided. The IR detector includes a plurality of thermal sensing elements that are arranged in an array of M columns and N rows. Each thermal sensing element is configured to receive at least one oscillating signal and detect at least a portion of a thermal output from the object. Each thermal sensing element is further configured to generate an electrical output signal that is indicative of at least a portion of detected thermal output and to modulate the electrical output signal with the at least one oscillating signal to generate a modulated output signal that is indicative of at least a portion of the image of the object.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an infrared (IR) detector is provided. The IR detector comprises a thermal sensing element that includes an absorber that is formed of a superlattice quantum well structure. The superlattice quantum well structure includes a first layer and a second layer, the first layer being arranged to extend in a first plane and the second layer being positioned proximate to the first layer and extending in the first plane. The second layer extending further than the first layer in the first plane such that a portion thereof is exposed for receiving a conductive material to increase electrical conductivity in the detector.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) detector including a plurality of thermal sensing elements for generating an image of an object is provided. The IR detector comprises a first thermal sensing element and includes a thermopile and a first switch. The thermopile is configured to receive at least a portion of a thermal output from the object and to provide a modulated electrical output indicative of at least a portion of the received thermal output. The first switch is operatively coupled to the thermopile and is configured to provide a bypass in the event the thermopile is damaged such that remaining thermal sensing elements of the plurality of thermal sensing elements are capable of providing an electrical output therefrom.

Abstract: In at least one embodiment, an infrared (IR) detector for generating an image of an object is provided. The IR detector includes a plurality of thermal sensing elements that are arranged in an array of M columns and N rows. Each thermal sensing element is configured to receive at least one oscillating signal and detect at least a portion of a thermal output from the object. Each thermal sensing element is further configured to generate an electrical output signal that is indicative of at least a portion of detected thermal output and to modulate the electrical output signal with the at least one oscillating signal to generate a modulated output signal that is indicative of at least a portion of the image of the object.