GAS DETECTION APPARATUS USING A COMBINED INFRARED SOURCE AND HIGH TEMPERATURE BOLOMETER

摘要

An improved gas detector apparatus (100) includes a spectral source/bolometer(102) for conducting an electrical current and for producing infrared radiation. The source/bolometer has a characteristic resistance that is a predetermined function of the source/bolometer temperature. A concentrating reflector (104) directs the infrared radiation through a spectral filter (106) and the gas. A return reflector (108) is disposed along the axis beyond the spectral filter and the gas, such that at least a portion of the infrared radiation passing through the filter and the gas is reflected back through the gas and the filter to the source/bolometer. A driver/detector (110) drives a current through the source/bolometer, determines the characteristic resistance of the source/bolometer, and detects the gas from a variation of the characteristic resistance.