Thermal radiation sensor comprising an ionic conductor

An ionic thermoelectric thermal radiation sensor array, comprising:

• a substrate;
• ionic thermoelectric sensing units arranged on the substrate and comprising ionically conductive and electrically insulating material, wherein the ionic thermoelectric sensing units are voltage-producing units each having first and second surfaces spaced apart from and disposed opposite to one another,
• wherein each of the ionic thermoelectric sensing units comprises a pair of elements spaced apart from one another along the substrate by a support, and
• wherein each pair of elements comprises a first element comprising a negative type thermoelectric material and a second element comprising a positive type thermoelectric material;
• a thermal radiation absorber applied to at least one element of the pair of elements of the ionic thermoelectric sensing unit, wherein the thermal radiation absorber is configured to generate heat when exposed to thermal radiation, including infrared radiation;
• first and second electrical connectors that connect the first and second surfaces in series, in parallel or both,
• wherein pairs of the spaced apart elements comprise respective passivity sensors that generate respective voltages due to respective thermal diffusions of ions or due to the Soret effect under respective temperature differences between the first and second surfaces,
• wherein the first electrical connector is disposed between respective first surface portions of a first surface of the pair of elements and the thermal radiation absorber,
• wherein the thermal radiation absorber and the substrate are spaced apart from one another by the pair of elements, and
• wherein the support extends between the first and second electrical connectors, and
• wherein the support is comprised of the negative type thermoelectric material or the support is comprised of the positive type thermoelectric material.

A method for fabricating an ionic thermoelectric thermal radiation sensor, the method comprising:

• applying an ionic thermoelectric sensing layer on a substrate, the layer comprising ionically conductive and electrically insulating material and being a voltage-producing layer having first and second surfaces spaced apart from and disposed opposite to one another, wherein the ionic thermoelectric sensing unit is configured to produce voltage via thermal diffusion of ions or via the Soret effect under a temperature difference between the first and second surfaces,
• wherein the ionic thermoelectric sensing layer comprises a pair of elements spaced apart from one another along the substrate, and
• wherein the pair of elements comprises a first element comprising a negative type thermoelectric material and a second element comprising a positive type thermoelectric material;
• applying, to at least one element of the pair of elements of the ionic thermoelectric sensing unit, another layer comprising a thermal radiation absorber that is configured to generate heat when exposed to thermal radiation, including infrared radiation;
• connecting respective first surface portions of a first surface of the pair of elements by a first electrical connector and connecting respective second surface portions of a second surface of the pair of elements by a second electrical connector,
• wherein the first electrical connector is disposed between the respective first surface portions and the thermal radiation absorber, and
• wherein the thermal radiation absorber and the substrate are spaced apart from one another by the pair of elements;
• and
• applying, a support in a position to support the first electrical connector opposite the substrate,
• wherein the support extends between the pair of elements and between the first electrical connector and the substrate, and
• wherein the support is comprised of the negative type thermoelectric material or the support is comprised of the positive type thermoelectric material.