V.sub.2 O.sub.3 protection for IR detector arrays against intense thermal radiation
US5017786A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 1989 |
| Grant date | May 21, 1991 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 19, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J5/061
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Apparatus in a thermal radiation detection device including optics having a focal plane comprising a cold mounting surface, a detector array, a standoff and apparatus for protecting the detectors from intense thermal radiation. The detector array includes a plurality of radiation sensitive detectors mounted on a carrier in thermal contact with the cold mounting surface. The standoff defines a cold platform proximate to the detector array and mounted to the cold mounting surface. A substrate includes a film of vanadium trioxide on a first surface, wherein the substrate is mounted to the standoff at the first surface and wherein the substrate is structured and arranged to interpose the vanadium trioxide film between the detector array and a radiation source and is located proximate the focal plane. The vanadium trioxide film has a transition temperature above which it becomes reflective of the source radiation and the cold platform is maintained at a temperature below the transition temperature in the absence of intense external radiation impinging on the film.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.