Abstract: This device for detecting infrared radiation comprises a one or two-dimensional array of elementary bolometric detectors, that are electrically connected to a readout circuit (1), which is associated with a compensation structure intended to divert most of the background or common-mode current that flows through each of the bolometric detectors in the array. The compensation structure consists of a layer that incorporates at least one bolometric material (8) extending between two electrical connection areas (3, 6, 7) linked to the readout circuit (1). The layer that incorporates the bolometric material (8) that constitutes the compensation structure is itself in thermal contact with the substrate that constitutes the readout circuit (1) outside the electrical connection areas (3, 6, 7).

Abstract: The absorbent membrane of the detector is fixed in suspension by at least one thermally insulating support part onto a front face of a substrate comprising at least two electric connection terminals electrically connected to the membrane, for example by means of conducting layers. The support part has at least one base end and a raised zone. The base end is fixed to a top part of a conducting pillar having a base fixedly secured to one of the electric connection terminals. A substantially flat zone of a bottom face of the membrane is directly in contact with the raised zone of the support part. The support part is preferably formed by a bridge having a second base end fixed to a top part of a second pillar, the raised zone being formed by a flat middle part of the bridge.

Abstract: An infrared detection device including a matrix of bolometric detectors electrically connected to a reading circuit. Each of the detectors includes at least two electrically conductive thermal insulation structures insulated from one another and fitted in contact at one of their ends with an active zone consisting of a bolometric material. One of the structures is electrically connected at its other end to the reading circuit by a cold electrical connection that is kept at a substantially constant potential. The other structure is electrically connected at its other end to the reading circuit by a hot electrical connection, which is connected in series with a switch integrated into the reading circuit. At least two adjacent bolometric detectors are connected by a common electrical connection to the substantially constant potential of the reading circuit.

Abstract: A bolometric detector including a sensitive part having one or more layers of a sensitive material, the resistivity of which varies with temperature, electrodes isolated from one another, also acting as infrared radiation absorbers, the electrodes being in contact with the sensitive material over at least part of their surface, at least one support region for supporting the sensitive part, acting so as to position the sensitive part, and acting as an electrical conductor, in relation to a read circuit associated with the bolometric detector, and at least one thermal insulation structure electrically and mechanically connecting each support region to the sensitive part. The regions of sensitive material not in contact with the electrodes have at least one corrugation oriented along the direction perpendicular to the plane containing the sensitive part of the bolometric detector.

Abstract: The invention concerns a microbolometer comprising a suspended part (2) containing radiation-sensitive elements and consisting of a set of first zones (2A) and a set of second zones (2B), the two sets being superimposed; furthermore, the materials constituting said zones (2A) and (2B) have thermal expansion coefficients sufficiently different for said suspended part (2) to be deformed under the effect of a rise in temperature to be urged into contact with the substrate (1) when the contact zone reaches a temperature Tc less than the destruction temperature Td of the microbolometer. The invention is applicable to radiation detectors comprising an assembly of such microbolometers, and to various appliances comprising at least such a radiation detector.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing radiation detectors, in which these detectors each comprise a set of microdetectors, for example microbolometers, situated under a window that is transparent to said radiation. According to the invention, said detectors are manufactured collectively on a substrate (1), and said method comprises notably the following steps: the construction of several layers, of which, for each of said detectors, at least one layer (4) is transparent to said radiation and serves as a window, and the partial elimination of said layers principally under said transparent layer(4), such that said microdetectors (2) are placed, for each of said detectors, in one or more cavities, which are then placed under vacuum or under low pressure. The invention also relates to various radiation detectors, of which the walls form hermetically sealed cavities each containing one or more microdetectors (2).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing radiation detectors, in which these detectors each comprise a set of microdetectors, for example microbolometers, situated under a window that is transparent to said radiation.

Abstract: Bolometric detector with intermediate electrical insulation and manufacturing process for this detector. According to the invention, at least two electrodes are formed facing the same face of a layer of bolometric material (5) and starting from the same layer of conducting material (8). Areas (8A, 8B) belonging to the two electrodes are electrically isolated from each other and electrically isolated from the layer of bolometric material, while other areas (7A, 7B) belonging to the two electrodes are separated from each other and are in electrical contact with this layer. The invention is particularly applicable to infrared imagery.

Abstract: A device for the detection of multi-spectral infrared and visible radiation using a bolometric detector having at least one active layer and two control electrodes for the detection of both infrared and visible radiation, and also using at least one photodetector having at least two active layers and two control electrodes for detecting solely visible radiation. The device is uncooled, and the two detectors are superimposed and combined with one-another for forming the same sensitive element.

Abstract: A device having at least one element of a floating rigid microstructure element made of a structure layer(s) and a rigidity lining which increases its resistance to flexing and to torsion. The increased rigidity of the microstructure element allows the thickness and/or the width to be reduced, particularly of the structure layer(s) and hence allows an increase in the thermal resistance.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing elements of floating rigid microstructures and a device equipped with such elements.This method of manufacturing at least one element of a microstructure (104, 116) in a substrate including a stacking of a support layer (100), a layer (102) of sacrificial material and a structure layer (104) comprises the following steps:a) etching in the substrate a relief structure (108) with lateral sides (110a, 110b)b) formation of a so-called rigidity lining (116) on the lateral sides (110a, 110b),c) removal of the sacrificial material from the relief structure (108) in order to release the floating microstructure.

Abstract: An infrared detector includes a sensitive part having a sensitive element and conducting elements. The sensitive element includes a layer of material in which the resistivity varies with the temperature. The conducting elements perform the functions of electrodes for the detector and infrared absorber. At least one support element for the sensitive part is capable of positioning the sensitive part, electrically connecting the sensitive part to a readout circuit, and thermally insulating the sensitive part from the rest of the structure. All conducting elements are places on the same surface of the layer of temperature sensitive material. The detector is manufactured according to a forming and etching process.

Abstract: Device for safety injection on a pressurized-water nuclear reactor, including at least two separate injection trains each consisting of at least one set of means (60, 61, 62) for pumping water from a reservoir (58, 59) arranged outside the safety enclosure, and a main injection pipe (64, 65) connected to a distributor drum (70, 70') for the distribution of the water into each of the cold arms of the primary circuit. From each of the main pipes (64, 65) there is tapped off outside the enclosure an auxiliary pipe (84, 85) in which is located a block valve (96, 97). The auxiliary pipes (84, 85) include a branching-off (86, 87, 88, 89) for placing the auxiliary pipe (84, 85) into communication firstly with a cold arm (52, 53, 54, 55) and secondly with a hot arm (56, 56'). The invention is applicable in the event of leakage in the primary circuit of a pressurized-water nuclear reactor.