Abstract: A miniature, nonevacuated, detector refrigerator assembly for use in infrared imaging systems is described. The assembly incorporates a miniature Joule-Thomson laminar refrigerator which serves as the substrate for the detector subassembly, electrical leads, as well as the primary structural element of the assembly. The detector subassembly is positioned on the cold region of the refrigerator, surrounded by insulating material and capped by an optical window or filter as required. As a result, the detector is cooled while the contact pads used for connection to external devices are at the ambient temperature. A piece of high thermally conductive material may be placed in the vicinity of the detector subassembly so that during operation gases in the chamber surrounding the detector assembly will preferentially condense thereon rather than on the detector subassembly.

Abstract: An evaporated thin-film platinum resistance thermometer interleaved with a nichrome heating element on a sapphire substrate so as to calibrate infrared detectors and allow accurate control of the output signals of such detectors.