Infrared converter
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsRalph R. Reinhold, Melvin G. Wode
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An infrared converter for converting an image of infrared radiation into a visible image or an electrical signal. The infrared converter includes a sensitive element array upon which the infrared image is formed. The array includes an array of electron emitters and associated devices for controlling the rate at which electrons are emitted from the electron emitters in response to infrared radiation incident on the sensitive element array.
Claims14
An infrared converter for converting infrared radiation emanating from a scene being viewed into a beam of electrons, comprising:
- (A) an infrared focal plane array having opposed first and second surfaces, the array including:
- an infrared transparent window having opposed first and second surfaces, said first surface of said infrared transparent window being said first surface of said array, said infrared transparent window being substantially transparent to infrared radiation emanating from the scene being viewed;
- an electrically conductive window disposed on the second surface of said infrared transparent window, said electrically conductive window being substantially opaque to infrared radiation and including one or more transmissive areas substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
- a photoconductor layer disposed on said conductive window for changing resistivity in response to infrared photons incident thereon;
- an interface layer disposed on said photoconductor layer;
- and
- an emitter layer disposed on said interface layer for emitting electrons, said interface layer providing ohmic contact between said photoconductor layer and said emitter layer;
- (B) an anode disposed in spaced relation to said electron emitter;
- and
- (C) anode supply means for establishing an electric field between said anode and said electron emitter, said electric field attracting electrons emitted from said emitter to said anode.
A sensitive element for use in an infrared converter, said element comprising:
- (A) an electron emitter;
- and
- (B) electron emission rate control means for controlling the rate at which electrons are emitted from said electron emitter in response to the intensity of infrared radiation incident on said electron emission rate control means, said control means including:
- an infrared transparent window, being substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
- an electrically conductive window disposed on said infrared transparent window, said electrically conductive window being substantially opaque to infrared radiation and including a transmissive area substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
- a photoconductor layer disposed on said conductive window for changing resistivity in response to infrared photons incident thereon;
- and
- an interface layer disposed to provide ohmic contact between said photoconductor layer and said electron emitter.
A method of making an infrared focal plane array having opposed first and second surfaces, comprising:
- providing an infrared transparent window being substantially transparent to infrared radiation and having opposed first and second surfaces, said first surface of said infrared transparent window being said first surface of said array;
- disposing an electrically conductive window on said second surface of said infrared transparent window, said electrically conductive window being substantially opaque to infrared radiation;
- forming one or more transmissive areas in said electrically conductive window that are substantially transparent to infrared radiation;
- disposing a photoconductor layer on said conductive window, said photoconductor layer changing resistivity in response to infrared photons incident thereon;
- disposing an interface layer on said photoconductor layer;
- and
- disposing an emitter layer on said interface layer for emitting electrons, said interface layer providing ohmic contact between said photoconductor layer and said emitter layer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.