Radiant energy – Infrared-to-visible imaging – Including detector array
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-10
2001-03-13
Buczinski, Stephen C. (Department: 3662)
Radiant energy
Infrared-to-visible imaging
Including detector array
C250S338400, C257S436000, C257S442000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201242
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention pertains in general to radiation detection devices and in particular to such devices for detecting infrared radiation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Infrared radiation detectors have become particularly important for the capability of producing images at night and through haze and smoke. Conventional imagers have large area detector elements for each picture element (pixel) of an image. Each such detector element has length and width dimensions which are longer than the wavelength of the radiation that it captures. A conventional detector of this type is shown in “Semiconductors and Semimetals,” Vol. 18, Mercury Cadmium Telluride, Academic Press, 1981, pp. 162-163.
Although conventional infrared detectors can successfully produce useful images, they have serious limitations in their operation. For a given input power of incident radiation, the resulting signal strength of these devices is relatively low. Further, conventional devices must be operated in a very cold environment to produce usable image signals.
Therefore, there is a great need for an improved infrared detector which can produce a greater amplitude signal with less requirement for complex cooling apparatus.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A selected embodiment of the present invention is a quantum infrared radiation detector for detecting infrared radiation which is essentially in a band defined by a first wavelength and a second, longer, wavelength. The detector includes a diffraction grating which includes a plurality of periodically spaced quantum detector elements. A reflector of infrared radiation is positioned offset from the diffraction grating to form an optical cavity for the infrared radiation. Electrical conductors are connected to the quantum detector elements for carrying a detection signal which is produced when the detector receives the infrared radiation.
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Case William Edward
Eden Dayton Dale
Schimert Thomas Robert
Buczinski Stephen C.
Lockheed Martin Corporation
Sadacca Stephen S.
Sidley & Austin
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