Bolometer Pixel With Pattern Layer For Light Concentration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bolometer pixels face challenges in reducing interference noise (cross-talk) and enhancing radiant energy absorption efficiency, particularly as pixel sizes decrease, which hampers the development of high-resolution thermal imaging cameras.
Innovation Solution
The proposed bolometer pixel structure includes a substrate, an absorber with a central absorbent body floating above the substrate, and a reflector with a reflective layer and a pattern layer that concentrates incident light onto the absorber, while partition walls between pixels block leaked light to minimize cross-talk.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If pixel size is reduced to increase resolution, then imaging resolution is improved, but light absorption efficiency deteriorates and cross-talk noise increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pattern layer with lens power above the absorber to concentrate light from oblique angles onto the absorber. This adds an optical dimension to the pixel structure, enabling small pixels to maintain high light absorption efficiency by using the pattern layer to redirect and focus incident light onto the absorber area, effectively compensating for the reduced pixel footprint.
Solution Approach 2:
The pattern layer acts as an intermediary optical element between the incident light and the absorber. It receives light from various angles and redirects it onto the absorber, serving as a mediator that enhances the coupling between incident light and the absorber even in small pixel structures, thereby maintaining high absorption efficiency despite reduced pixel size.
2Measurement precision
If pixel size is reduced to increase resolution, then imaging resolution is improved, but cross-talk noise between pixels increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces partition walls between adjacent pixels to segment the optical paths. These partition walls physically separate the light paths of neighboring pixels, preventing light from one pixel from leaking into adjacent pixels. This segmentation approach effectively reduces cross-talk noise while maintaining the high resolution enabled by small pixel sizes.
3Adaptability or versatility
If incident angle of light increases, then oblique light detection is improved, but reflected light travels to neighboring pixels increasing interference noise
Solution Approach 1:
The pattern layer with lens power introduces an optical dimension that actively manages oblique light. Instead of allowing oblique light to reflect randomly and cause cross-talk, the pattern layer redirects this oblique light onto the absorber through its lens power, converting a harmful effect into a useful signal enhancement while maintaining oblique light detection capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of oblique light reflection into a beneficial effect. The pattern layer captures oblique incident light and redirects it onto the absorber, turning what would normally be stray light causing cross-talk into useful signal light that enhances the detection of oblique angles while preventing interference with neighboring pixels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration significantly increases light absorption efficiency and reduces interference noise between pixels, enabling improved performance in high-resolution thermal imaging applications.
Implementation Method 1
an absorber configured to absorb incoming light in a predetermined wavelength range
Implementation Method 2
converting incoming light energy in a predetermined wavelength range into heat energy
Implementation Method 3
a reflector having a reflective layer formed on the substrate so as to reflect light incident on the substrate
Implementation Method 4
a pattern layer formed on the reflective layer so as to have lens power to concentrate the incident light onto the central absorbent body
Implementation Method 5
The bolometer converts incoming light energy in a predetermined wavelength range into heat energy, and outputs the heat energy to generate image data
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a bolometer pixel and a bolometer array. The bolometer pixel includes: a substrate; an absorber configured to absorb incoming light in a predetermined wavelength range and having a central absorbent body that floats above the substrate by supports; and a reflector having a reflective layer provided on the substrate to reflect light incident on the substrate, and a pattern layer provided on the reflective layer to have lens power to concentrate the incident light onto the central absorbent body.