Thermal detector and method

A thermal imaging system for providing an image representative of an amount of thermal radiation incident to the system, the system comprising:

• a focal plane array comprising a plurality of thermal detectors, each detector comprising a layer of temperature sensitive material forming a first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having one of a resistance and capacitance value depending on its temperature;
• an integrated circuit substrate comprising a plurality of second elements, each of the second elements part of one of a plurality of signal-producing circuits and complementary and electrically coupled to an associated first element, each signal-producing circuit operable to produce an output signal having an amplitude;
• and
• wherein the amplitude of each output signal is monitorable as representing an absolute temperature of the detector so as to determine the amount of thermal energy incident to the detector.

A thermal imaging system for providing an image representative of thermal radiation incident to the system, the system comprising:

• an array of thermal detectors, each detector comprising a layer of temperature sensitive material forming a first element of a signal-producing circuit, the first element having at least one of a resistance and capacitance value that depends on its temperature;
• an array of the signal-producing circuits, each circuit comprising a second element complementary and electrically coupled to an associated first element, the signal-producing circuit operable to produce an output signal having an amplitude;
• and
• wherein the amplitude of the output signal is monitored as representing an absolute temperature of the detector so as to determine the amount of thermal energy incident to the system.