Abstract: The present method for non-contact testing of infrared photovoltaic detectors employs a probe which is positioned a distance "d" from a detector contact to form a capacitance between the probe and the detector. The probe signal is amplified by a preamplifier and the diode is excited both electrically, through the common contact, and optically with a known infrared signal. The probe position is controlled by measuring the probe to detector capacitance. Electrical and electro-optical detector parameters can be determined using standard AC circuit analysis techniques.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement on the thermal imaging detector of Elliott (U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,195). This detector, which has come to be called the SPRITE detector (Signal PRocessing In The Element), is being applied in serially scanned thermal imaging systems for the 8-12 micrometer infrared spectral band. All such SPRITE detectors to date have been three terminal devices, including two bias contacts at either end of the detector, and one additional readout electrode which, together with the nearby bias contact, define the readout zone across which the integrated photoconductive signal voltage is measured. The present invention recognizes that using a bias contact as one of the two readout electrodes can substantially reduce the spatial frequency response of the SPRITE detector. Thus, the present invention utilizes a four-terminal SPRITE detector configuration in which readout is achieved in a differential manner across two voltage probes.

Abstract: A photoconductive detector is formed in a single body of semiconductor material and is used for sensing electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared radiation. The photoconductive body has a cooling means proximate that body for maintaining the body at a predetermined quiescent temperature and also has output means connected to the body for receiving a signal from the body. Further included are heating means proximate said photoconductive body and adapted to heat the photoconductive body to a temperature above said quiescent temperature for a time sufficient to accelerate decay of the radiation produced signal.