Electromagnetic radiation detector using a planar Golay cell

An electromagnetic radiation detector device using a planar Golay cell, comprising:

• a cell body forming a cavity therein, wherein the cavity is filled with a gas;
• a wavelength selective absorber positioned within the cavity having a predetermined absorption spectral range, wherein the wavelength selective absorber is configured to absorb radiative power from a light source and to heat the gas within the cavity, causing a change in pressure within the cavity;
• and
• a pressure sensing element fluidly connected to the cavity to measure a change in pressure within the cavity;
• the device further comprising:
• a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detector devices comprising a respective plurality of pressure sensing elements, wherein the cell bodies of the plurality of electromagnetic radiation detector devices are stacked against one another such that the radiative power passes through the electromagnetic radiation detector devices in a particular order, and wherein radiation from a single light source is directed through the plurality of electromagnetic radiation detector devices in succession.

A method for using a Golay cell, the method comprising:

• directing radiative power from a light source through at least a portion of a cell body of the detector toward the gas cavity and the wavelength selective absorber, wherein the optical path of the radiative power passes through one or more target gas before reaching the wavelength selective absorber;
• absorbing at least a portion of the radiative power by the wavelength selective absorber or the gas within the gas cavity;
• detecting, by a pressure sensing element, a pressure change caused by the absorbing of the radiative power;
• and
• determining an identity of the one or more target gas based on the detected pressure change.