Abstract: An antenna structure configured for simultaneous communication over multiple channels or with multiple locations. In certain examples the antenna system includes an antenna, such as a horn antenna, a lens, or a horn-lens combination, for example, and a focal plane array located near the focal point of the antenna. The focal plane array can be made up of a plurality of sub-wavelength elements, and is configured to simultaneously excite and/or receive a plurality of beams, each having an independent pointing angle to communicate with multiple fixed or non-fixed communication terminals in different locations.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal detector (1) for detecting electromagnetic radiation, comprising: a readout substrate (10); a membrane (20) suspended above the readout substrate, comprising: a thermometric transducer (23), and a resistive load (25) that is formed from a track that extends longitudinally to form a closed continuous loop; a collecting antenna (16), which is located away from the suspended membrane (20) and coupled to the resistive load (25), and which comprises a coupling track (16.1), which track is located plumb with the resistive load (25) and extends longitudinally to form an open continuous loop, thus permitting inductive coupling between the coupling track (16.1) and the resistive load (25).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for nanoantenna-enhanced detection of infrared radiation. The apparatus includes one or more detector pixels. A plurality of detector pixels can constitute a focal plane array (FPA). Each detector pixel carries at least a first and a second subpattern of nanoantenna elements, with elements of the second subpattern interpolated between elements of the first subpattern. Each detector pixel also includes separate collection electrodes for collecting photogenerated current from the respective subpatterns.

Abstract: An antenna device according to an exemplary embodiment includes a first metal layer, a first dielectric layer, a second metal layer, and a second dielectric layer. The first dielectric layer has a thermal conductivity and heat resistance that are higher than those of an FR-4 resin. The antenna device includes a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, and a thermosensor. A pair of an input terminal and an output terminal of the thermosensor are electrically connected to the first metal terminal and the second metal terminal, respectively, and the second metal layer includes a first segment and a second segment. The first metal terminal is disposed above the first segment, and the second metal terminal is disposed above the second segment.

Abstract: A thermal probe and method for generating a thermal map (M) of a sample interface (1). A scanning thermal microscope (100) is provided having at least one or more probe tips (11,12). The probe tips (11,12) are scanned at a near-field distance (D1) over the sample interface (1). Heat flux data (H) is recorded as a function of a relative position (X,Y) of the probe tip (11) over the sample interface (1). The thermal map (M) is calculated from the recorded heat flux data (H) based on a spatially resolved heat flux profile (P) of the probe tip (11) at the sample interface (1). The heat flux profile (P) has a local maximum at a lateral distance (R) across the sample interface (1) with respect to an apex (11a) of the probe tip (11).

Abstract: An integrated circuit device is provided which comprises a substrate, a conductive line configured to experience a pressure, and a magnetic tunnel junction (“MTJ”) core formed between the substrate and the current line. The conductive line is configured to move in response to the pressure, and carries a current which generates a magnetic field. The MTJ core has a resistance value which varies based on the magnetic field. The resistance of the MTJ core therefore varies with respect to changes in the pressure. The MTJ core is configured to produce an electrical output signal which varies as a function of the pressure.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in a fluid is disclosed. The chemical sensors include chemically sensitive resistors that utilize carbon nanotubes as a chemically sensitive element. The disclosed sensors additionally utilize polymers which selectively alter or inhibit the chemical sensitivity of the carbon nanotubes. Methods of preparing the sensors as well as methods of their use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated dual-purpose sensor is shown. The dual-purpose sensor in one embodiment of the present invention includes a full Wheatstone bridge or a half Wheatstone bridge providing two output measurements. Specifically, the Wheatstone bridge provides two output measurements that are utilized to determine a temperature sensor reading and a magnetic sensor reading.

Abstract: A resistant based thermal probe including a nanometer sized four-leg filament integrated with a piezoresistive AFM type cantilever is created by depositing the filament structure onto the cantilever by a chemical vapor deposition technique where the cantilever is exposed to the flux of precursor gas. An incident electron beam causes a fragmentation of the gas molecules leaving a deposit behind which leads to a conductive deposit shaped as a multi-leg filament structure for thermal measurements of a sample. A deposited four leg filament structure has a mechanical rigidity, high spatial resolution, low thermal conductivity and thermal capacitance, fast response time, and in combination with a four point resistant measurement and lock-in technique, eliminates resistivity for increasing both the temperature sensitivity and the signal-to-noise ratio of the thermal probe.

Abstract: An integrated infrared and millimeter-wave monolithic focal plane sensor array having a substrate upon which an integrated array of infrared sensors and mm-wave sensors are provided at a first planar level on the same side of the substrate, and a planar antenna for receiving incident millimeter-wave radiation located at a second planar level located between the integrated array of sensors and the surface of the substrates for coupling the mm-wave radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The antenna receiver of electromagnetic radiation, in one embodiment, is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration which efficiently couples the radiation field to the mm-wave sensor. The invention also is directed to a method of fabricating such a radiation sensor.

Abstract: A radiation sensor. The inventive sensor has a two-level detector structure formed on a substrate in which a thermal detector element is suspended over the substrate as a microbridge structure. A receiver of electromagnetic radiation is provided on the same side of the substrate in a manner that efficiently couples the radiation field to the thermal detector element. The thermal detector element has a sandwich structure including a heater metal layer, a dielectric layer, and a thin film thermo-resistive material. The thermal detector element is suspended out of physical contact with the receiver. In one embodiment, the receiver is an antenna having a crossed bowtie configuration that efficiently couples the radiation field to the detector element. The inventive radiation sensors are especially useful for mm-wave and microwave sensing applications. The sensor can be used individually or in linear or two-dimensional arrays thereof.

Abstract: A sensor unit is described, in particular an air quality sensor, having a first support element, on which are arranged a first sensor element and a first heat source, assigned to the latter, and having at least one further, second support element, on which are arranged a second sensor element and a second heat source, assigned to the latter. The two support elements are configured as a common support unit and, between them, have a heat barrier for thermal isolation.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g., electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance.

Abstract: A sensor array for detecting an analyte in a fluid, comprising at least first and second chemically sensitive resistors electrically connected to an electrical measuring apparatus, wherein each of the chemically sensitive resistors comprises a mixture of nonconductive material and a conductive material. Each resistor provides an electrical path through the mixture of nonconductive material and the conductive material. The resistors also provide a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising an analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with an analyte at a second different concentration. A broad range of analytes can be detected using the sensors of the present invention.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g. electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g., electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance.

Abstract: Chemical sensors for detecting analytes in fluids comprise first and second conductive elements (e.g. electrical leads) electrically coupled to and separated by a chemically sensitive resistor which provides an electrical path between the conductive elements. The resistor comprises a plurality of alternating nonconductive regions (comprising a nonconductive organic polymer) and conductive regions (comprising a conductive material) transverse to the electrical path. The resistor provides a difference in resistance between the conductive elements when contacted with a fluid comprising a chemical analyte at a first concentration, than when contacted with a fluid comprising the chemical analyte at a second different concentration. Arrays of such sensors are constructed with at least two sensors having different chemically sensitive resistors providing dissimilar such differences in resistance.

Abstract: A varistor and a PTC resistor formed from a composite material containing a polymer matrix and a filler. The varistor experiences two nonlinear changes caused by the current due to applied voltage, the varistor comprising a composite material comprising a filler and a polymer matrix, the filler consisting of particles of grained microstructure. The PTC resistor experiences a first nonlinear dependency of resistivity at a first PTC temperature resulting from an interaction of the filler and the polymer matrix and a second nonlinear dependency of resistivity at a second, lower PTC temperature resulting from the filler.

Abstract: A hybrid sensor which is comprised of an acceleration sensor for detecting acceleration based on a temperature distribution of a predetermined gas hermetically enclosed within a fluid-tight space, and an angular velocity sensor for detecting angular velocity based on a deviation of a flow of a predetermined gas. The acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are formed in one piece by the use of semiconductor processing technology in such a manner that the acceleration sensor and the angular velocity sensor are formed on a plurality of semiconductor substrates, and then the plurality of semiconductor substrates are superposed one upon another and united into a laminate.

Abstract: In a microbolometer infrared radiation sensor, a detector material (VO.sub.2) having a high thermal coefficient of resistance to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus.

Abstract: An electric resistor has a resistor body arranged between two contract terminals. This resistor core includes an element with PTC behavior which, below a material-specific temperature, forms an electrically conducting path running between the two contact terminals. The resistor can be simple and inexpensive, but still have a high rate current-carrying capacity protected against local and overall overvoltages. This is achieved by the resistor core additionally containing a material having varistor behavior. The varistor material is connected in parallel with at least one subsection of the electrically conducting path, forming at least one varistor, and is brought into intimate electrical contact with the part of the PTC material forming the at least one subsection. The parallel connection of the element with PTC behavior and the varistor can be realized both by a microscopic construction and by a macroscopic arrangement.

Abstract: A variable electroconductivity material characterized by being obtained by formulating (a) an electroconductivity variation imparting agent comprising a substance which is caused by light or heat energy to undergo structural change, reversibly or irreversibly, between nonionic and ionic structures and (b) a charge transport substance the electroconductivity of which is varied by said structural change of said electroconductivity variation imparting agent, and an information recording medium obtained by the use of this material has excellent memory stability, and also a light (heat) converting device having conversion characteristics can be obtained by the use of this material.

Abstract: A variable electroconductivity material characterized by being obtaine by formulating (a) an electroconductivity variation imparting agent comprising a substance which is caused by light or heat energy to undergo structural change, reversibly or irreversibly, between nonionic and ionic structures and (b) a charge transport substance the electroconductivity of which is varied by said structural change of said electroconductivity variation imparting agent, and an information recording medium obtained by the use of this material has excellent memory stability, and also a light (heat) converting device having conversion characteristics can be obtained by the use of this material.

Abstract: A monolithic integrated focal plane sensor array having elements sensitive to IR radiation and elements sensitive to mm-wave radiation. The sensor elements of the array sensitive to mm-wave have microantennas coupled to the sensors.

Abstract: An environment sensor includes an insulating base board, a first electrode made of a material which can provide an electrical indication of the value of a first physical quantity and formed on the insulating base board, a second electrode formed of electrically conducting material and formed on the insulating base board, and a mass of metal oxide semiconductor material which can provide an electrical indication of the value of a second physical quantity, layered on the base board over the first and second electrodes. Thus, the first electrode by itself constitutes a sensor subsystem which can sense the value of the first physical quantity, which may preferably be temperature, while the first and second electrodes together with the mass of metal oxide semiconductor material constitute a sensor subsystem which can sense the value of the second physical quantity, which may preferably be humidity.

Abstract: A high temperature thermistor and its method of fabrication are disclosed. The thermistor is fabricated from titanium dioxide ceramic forming material and is fabricated to achieve a high degree of densification approaching 100% of theoretical density. At elevated temperatures in the range of from about 700.degree. F. to about 1500.degree. F. densified titania ceramic material behaves as a semiconductor having a resistance which is responsive principally to the temperature of the thermistor element. The thermistor is fabricated by processing titania powder which includes a substantial majority of rutile phase material. The titania powder is processed to achieve a thermistor chip or member which demonstrates a high degree of density.

Abstract: A contactless switch element for electric currents, which is constructed as a hydrogen-diffusion-impervious but electrically non-conductive, encapsulated metal adapted to be reversibly hydrogenated or dehydrogenated.

Abstract: A pair of ceramic chips, formed of similar metal oxide ceramic materials which are semiconductors at elevated temperature, are connected electrically in series and are arranged for exposure to the hot gaseous combustion by-products produced by an internal combustion engine. The chips are positioned in the exhaust gas conduit by a ceramic insulator having a plurality of longitudinal passages extending therethrough. A plurality of electrical terminal members are received within the rear of the longitudinal passages. Electrical leads extend from the chips to the terminal members through the plurality of passages and support the chips while providing electrical communication between the chips and the electrical terminals. The electrical terminals are adapted for communication to electronic and/or electrical utilization means. One of the pair of chips is processed to exhibit a rapid change in an electrical property responsive to differences in the exhaust gas chemistry and differences in exhaust gas temperature.

Abstract: In a microbolometer infrared radiation sensor, a detector material (VO.sub.2) having a high thermal coefficient of resistance to increase the sensitivity of the apparatus.