Long-wave infrared detecting element, long-wave infrared detecting element array structure, long-wave infrared temperature detecting device, and thermal imaging device

A long-wave infrared detecting element array structure comprising a plurality of long-wave infrared detecting elements, each of the plurality of long-wave infrared detecting elements comprising:

• a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field;
• a substrate on the magnetic field generator;
• a superparamagnetic material layer separated from the substrate and magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
• a support unit on the substrate, the support unit supporting the superparamagnetic material layer such that the superparamagnetic material layer is separated from the substrate, such that the support unit and the superparamagnetic material layer generate heat by absorbing infrared radiation from the outside;
• and
• a magneto-electric conversion unit configured to generate an electrical signal proportional to both a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and a magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer,
• wherein the magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to a temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer,
• wherein the temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed directly by the superparamagnetic material layer and according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed by the support unit, and
• wherein the magneto-electric conversion unit is provided on the support unit.

A long-wave infrared temperature detecting device comprising:

• a long-wave infrared detecting element configured to absorb infrared radiation from an outside and detect a first electrical signal that changes according to the infrared radiation;
• a signal processor configured to process a second electrical signal transmitted from the long-wave infrared detecting element;
• and
• a display element configured to display an image generated by the second electrical signal processed by the signal processor,
• wherein the long-wave infrared detecting element comprises:
• a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field;
• a substrate on the magnetic field generator;
• a superparamagnetic material layer separated from the substrate and magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
• a support unit on the substrate, the support unit supporting the superparamagnetic material layer such that the superparamagnetic material layer is separated from the substrate, such that the support unit and the superparamagnetic material layer generate heat by absorbing the infrared radiation from the outside;
• and
• a magneto-electric conversion unit configured to generate the second electrical signal proportional to both a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and a magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer,
• wherein the magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to a temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer, and
• wherein the temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed directly by the superparamagnetic material layer and according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed by the support unit, and
• wherein the magneto-electric conversion unit is provided on the support unit.

A thermal imaging device comprising:

• an optical system configured to focus incident infrared rays from an outside;
• a long-wave infrared detecting element array structure comprising a plurality of long-wave infrared detecting elements configured to detect the incident infrared rays that have passed through the optical system;
• a controller configured to control the plurality of long-wave infrared detecting elements;
• a signal processor configured to process an electrical signal transmitted from the long-wave infrared detecting element array structure;
• and
• a display element configured to display an image generated by the electrical signal processed by the signal processor,
• wherein each of the plurality of long-wave infrared detecting elements comprises:
• a magnetic field generator configured to generate a magnetic field;
• a substrate on the magnetic field generator;
• a superparamagnetic material layer separated from the substrate and magnetized by the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator;
• a support unit on the substrate, the support unit supporting the superparamagnetic material layer such that the superparamagnetic material layer is separated from the substrate, such that the support unit and the superparamagnetic material layer generate heat by absorbing infrared radiation from the outside;
• and
• a magneto-electric conversion unit configured to generate the electrical signal proportional to both a strength of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic field generator and a magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer,
• wherein the magnetization of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to a temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer, and
• wherein the temperature of the superparamagnetic material layer changes according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed directly by the superparamagnetic material layer and according to an amount of the infrared radiation absorbed by the support unit, and
• wherein the magneto-electric conversion unit is provided on the support unit.