Thorn Emi Plc

Central Research Laboratories Limited

Stanley Taylor

Alastair Sibbald

Elvin L Nix

Elvin Leonard Nix

Brian Holcroft

Gek K Chandler

Stephen D Etienne

An infrared detector comprises an array of detector elements (2) of the type having a layer of pyroelectric material (4)sandwiched between upper and lower electrodes (6,8) and separated along each edge by separations (16). The electrical sheet resistance of the upper electrode array (6) is reduced by forming gold rims (24) on the edges of the electrodes (6) around the periphery of each separation (16).

Infrared detector

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

A thermal imaging device is described including an array of pyroelectric sensor elements. Each element is at least partially supported by a respective pillar of an intrinsic polymer material. The pillars provide an electrical path between the elements and a signal processing means.

Thermal imaging devices

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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Stanley Taylor