Circuit models applied to the design of a novel uncooled infrared focal plane array structure
Abstract
This paper describes a circuit model applied to the simulation of the thermal response frequency of a novel substrate-free single-layer bi-material cantilever microstructure used as the focal plane array (FPA) in an uncooled opto-mechanical infrared imaging system. In order to obtain a high detection of the IR object, gold (Au) is coated alternately on the silicon nitride (SiNx) cantilevers of the pixels (Shi S et al Sensors and Actuators A at press), whereas the thermal response frequency decreases (Zhao Y 2002 Dissertation University of California, Berkeley). A circuit model for such a cantilever microstructure is proposed to be applied to evaluate the thermal response performance. The pixel's thermal frequency (1/τth) is calculated to be 10 Hz under the optimized design parameters, which is compatible with the response of optical readout systems and human eyes.
- Publication:
-
Measurement Science and Technology
- Pub Date:
- May 2007
- DOI:
- 10.1088/0957-0233/18/5/018
- Bibcode:
- 2007MeScT..18.1321S