Tuning D* with modified thermal detectors
AssigneeHalliburton Energy Services, Inc.
InventorsMichael L. Myrick, Michael N. Simcock
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Abstract
Disclosed is apparatus and methodology for producing thermal detectors with spectral responsivities that mimic the absorptions of chemical analytes, and whose detector characteristics approach those of conventional broad-band thermal detectors. In an exemplary arrangement, the methodology provides for modification of a known Si-based thermal detector by adding a near-infrared dye absorbing film above a reflector deposited directly on the thermal detector element. The method is general to all types of thermal detectors that can be divided into separate absorber and thermal sensor components.
Claims36
A method for adjusting the spectral detectivity of a detector, comprising:
- providing a detector having a broadband sensitive portion;
- coating the broadband sensitive portion with a first material to reduce the interaction of the detector with light;
- and coating the first material with a second material having spectral absorption characteristics, wherein the broadband sensitive portion is coupled to receive an energy from the second material.
A detector, comprising:
- a broadband sensitive detector material;
- a layer of light reflecting material disposed on at least a portion of the broadband sensitive detector material to reduce the interaction of the detector with light;
- and a layer of spectral absorption material disposed on said light reflecting material, wherein the broadband sensitive detector material is coupled to receive an energy from the spectral absorption material.
A detector having spectral responsivity similar to chemical analytes, comprising:
- a detector including a broadband sensitive portion;
- a layer of a first material disposed on the detector to reduce the interaction of the broadband sensitive portion with light;
- and
- an absorbing layer of a second material disposed on the layer of a first material;
- wherein
- incoming light impinges first on the absorbing layer of a second material and the broadband sensitive portion is coupled to receive an energy from the second material.
A method for using an optical detector comprising:
- modulating light at a frequency;
- and
- directing the modulated light to the optical detector, wherein the optical detector comprises:
- a detector including a broadband sensitive portion;
- a layer of a first material formed on the broadband sensitive portion to reduce the interaction of the detector with light;
- and
- an absorbing layer of a second material formed on the layer of a first material;
- wherein
- the modulated light impinges first on the absorbing layer of the second material and the broadband sensitive portion is coupled to receive an energy from the second material.
A method for adjusting the spectral detectivity of a detector, comprising:
- coating a broadband sensitive portion of the detector with a first material to reduce the response of the detector to light;
- coating the first material with a second material that has spectral absorption characteristics;
- and
- adding a polymer to the second material, whereby the spectral absorbance of the second material combined with the spectral absorbance of the polymer determines the sensitivity of the detector;
- and whereby the broadband sensitive portion is coupled to receive an energy from the second material.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.