Optical readout for thermal detector array
US12209912B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 18, 2022 |
| Grant date | Jan 28, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 1, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2005/202
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention relate to an optical detector system capable of detecting in the infrared and terahertz regions of the electromagnetic spectrum with increased sensitivity and simplicity. It includes microbolometers in an array, a waveguide for receiving readout light input from an optical light source, waveguide splitters for splitting the waveguide to output waveguides such that each microbolometer in the array is optically coupled to an output waveguide. The output waveguide is coupled to an optical resonator of the microbolometer at a resonance frequency to generate a readout light output having a characteristic based on a change in a characteristic of the optical resonator. The system further includes a detector for receiving the readout light output from each of the output waveguides to convert the readout light output to an electrical signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.