US 6,958,478 B2 · Microbolometer detector with high fill factor and transducers having enhanced thermal isolation

Abstract

In a microbolometer detector the individual transducers in the focal plane array are support by leg members that are attached to the underlying readout integrated circuit (ROIC) chip at locations underneath transducers other than transducer which they support. A variety of configurations are possible. For example, the leg members may be attached to the ROIC chip at locations under adjacent transducers on opposite sides or on the same side of the supported transducer, or at locations underneath transducers that are not immediately adjacent to the supported transducer. In this way the effective length of the leg members and therefore the thermal isolation of the transducer they support can be increased.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A microbolometer detector comprising:

a readout integrated circuit chip;
a two-dimensional array of transducer units, each of said transducers containing a transducer having a resistance that varies with temperature;
and
a support structure for supporting said transducer units in a spaced relationship over said chip, said support structure comprising
at least a first leg and a second leg for supporting a first transducer unit, each of said first and second legs containing an electrical path for connecting said transducer unit to said chip, said first leg extending from a first position on said chip underneath a second transducer unit to a first location on said first transducer unit, said second leg extending from a second position on said chip underneath a third transducer unit to a location on said first transducer unit.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Microbolometer detector with high fill factor and transducers having enhanced thermal isolation

Life of this patent

Microbolometer detector with high fill factor and transducers having enhanced thermal isolation

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11