Multiplexed microcalorimeter array
US6310350A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 23, 1999 |
| Grant date | Oct 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 23, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01K1/026
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Multi-element microcalorimeter array. The microcalorimeter array includes at least two microcalorimeter with each microcalorimeter including a detector coupled thermally to a cold bath. Each detector has associated with it a thermal sensor to generate a signal proportional to a rise in the detector's temperature. A single negative voltage feedback JFET preamplifier circuit is connected to each of the detectors and includes a JFET with a gate, the signals from the thermal sensors connected to the gate. The output of the preamplifier circuit is proportional to radiation energy absorbed by the detector. Each detector has a different thermal recovery time so that the detectors can be discriminated. The multiplexing arrangement of the invention makes it possible to reduce the overall number of preamplifier and post-processing channels for a large multi-element array. This reduction in turn significantly lowers the JFET heat load, mass and power requirements for the microcalorimeter array.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.