Optical Resonator Thermal Sensor Plasmonic Absorber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Bolometers used in thermal image cameras face reduced energy incidence and signal-to-noise ratio when pixel size is miniaturized, leading to decreased temperature change detection accuracy and degradation due to white noise.
Innovation Solution
A supersensitive thermal radiation sensor design incorporating a post, thermal absorption layer, optical resonator, plasmonic absorber, and waveguide coupler, where the plasmonic absorber is formed of metals like titanium, gold, or silver, and the thermal absorption layer is made of silica or silicon nitride, enhancing thermal absorption and reducing noise influence.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pixel size is miniaturized to achieve high resolution, then the spatial resolution is improved, but the amount of incident energy is reduced and the signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical resonator that confines and concentrates incident infrared energy in a specific spatial configuration around the thermal absorption layer. This dimensional confinement of optical energy compensates for the reduced collection area of miniaturized pixels, maintaining sufficient energy incidence while achieving high spatial resolution through the resonant field distribution rather than physical pixel size alone.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a plasmonic absorber with specific material composition ( titanium, gold, silver, platinum, copper, aluminum, nickel, or chromium) and geometric parameters (nanorod or nanoparticle with cylindrical or hemispherical shape) to enhance thermal absorption efficiency. By optimizing these parameters, the system achieves high energy absorption in a miniaturized structure, improving the signal-to-noise ratio without sacrificing spatial resolution.
2Reliability
If microbolometers are used to detect temperature change, then thermal detection capability is achieved, but white noise occurs and accuracy is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the conventional electrical resistance-based detection mechanism of microbolometers with an optical resonance-based detection system. The optical resonator detects temperature changes through shifts in resonant frequency or wavelength, which are measured optically rather than electrically. This substitution eliminates the white noise inherent in electrical resistance measurements while maintaining thermal detection capability, thereby improving detection accuracy.
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
The design increases sensitivity and accuracy of thermal radiation detection, minimizing the impact of white noise by leveraging optical characteristics and localized surface plasmon resonance for improved thermal absorption.
Implementation Method 1
an optical resonator around the thermal absorption layer
Implementation Method 2
a plasmonic absorber provided on the thermal absorption layer
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal radiation sensor may include a thermal absorption layer, an optical resonator surrounding the thermal absorption layer, and a plasmonic absorber provided on the thermal absorption layer, and thus, the thermal radiation sensor may have high sensitivity and may be miniaturized.