Thorn Emi Plc

Elvin L Nix

Alastair Sibbald

Stanley Taylor

Brian Holcroft

Stephen D Etienne

Donald R Barron

A thermal imaging device includes detector pixels A, B, C provided by a pyroelectric layer 1 arranged between electrode structures 3 and 4. A photoconductive layer 7 is provided between the electrode structure 5 and a further electrode structure 9. The device also includes an illumination source 11 for illuminating the photoconductive layer 7 for enabling pyroelectric charge developed by the detector pixels A, B, C to be optically addressed via the electrode structure 9. Optical addressing of the detector pixels obviates the need for solid state switching connections to each pixel, providing an imaging device readily capable of large scale fabrication.

Optically addressed thermal imaging device

An infrared imaging arrangement using a chopping device for periodically blocking exposure of an array of detector elements responsive to infrared energy by using a plurality of individually-mounted cells. There is a non-reciprocating rotary mechanism used for moving the cells substantially orthogonal to the array in such a manner that constant orientation of the cells is maintained in order to expose the array to energy via the cells. Since the cells orientation is maintained, the shift of energy relative to the array increases the arrays ability to resolve spatially sources of energy. There is also an infrared blocking piece used for blocking the infrared energy from impinging on the array.

Imaging arrangement

A thermal imaging device comprising a pyroelectric layer having on one major surface an array of interconnected electrodes forming an entrance face, and on the opposite major surface an array of discrete electrodes connected to electrical circuitry formed on a semiconductive substrate. Between the entrance faces of individual detector elements in a network of further electrodes of high thermal conductance which provides a high degree of thermal isolation for the detector elements and prevents significant thermal cross-talk between adjacent detector elements.

Thermal detector device

A thermal imaging device includes an array of pyroelectric detector elements, supported by an array of pillars, the pillars also being effective to enable the passage of electrical signals between the detector elements and an electrical signal processing means. Each pillar is separated from a respective detector electrode by an elongate electrically conductive strip. The device includes areas of infra-red absorbant material effective to conduct heat from non-electroded parts of the device into adjacent pyroelectric detector elements.

Thermal imaging device

A pyroelectric film has a pattern of inter-connected electrodes formed on one major surface, and a pattern of discrete electrodes formed on the other major surface. Each discrete electrode has an aperature in which is formed a respective electrically conductive pad. The film is supported by pillars connected to the pads, the pillars also providing a path for electrical signals between the pads and a signal processing means. Each discrete electrode is connected to a respective pad by a respective strip of electrically conductive material.

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Windsor, United Kingdom

Elvin L Nix