Low power infrared scene projector array and method of manufacture
US5600148A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 30, 1994 |
| Grant date | Feb 4, 1997 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 30, 2014 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J5/023
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An array for projecting thermal images and a method of making same. The array of the present invention combines a two-tier architecture created with special processing whereby each pixel member resides on an elevated platform directly over discrete pixel control electronics and electrically conducting traces couple a plurality of pixels so that they can be controlled to project thermal images at equal to or faster than video frame rates. Microlens assemblies coupled to each discrete pixel improves the thermal efficiency of the array for certain applications. In the method of fabrication, a semiconductor microbridge-type structure obtains with the use of sacrificial layers under deposited pixel members in a compact array so that the pixel electronics reside beneath their associated pixel and the array electronics inhabit the same chip as the array thereby improving fill factor and time constant of the resulting array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.