PASSIVE DETECTORS FOR IMAGING SYSTEMS

摘要

Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided which implement unpowered, passive front-end detector structures with direct-to-digital measurement data output for detecting incident photonic radiation in various portions (e.g., thermal (IR), near IR, UV and visible light) of the electromagnetic spectrum.

主权项

1. A device, comprising:
a substrate; a photon detector formed on the substrate, wherein the photon detector comprises:
a resonator member configured to generate an output signal having a frequency or period of oscillation;an unpowered detector member, wherein the unpowered detector member is configured for photon exposure, wherein the unpowered detector member comprises a material having a thermal coefficient of expansion that causes the unpowered detector member to distort due to said photon exposure, wherein the unpowered detector member is further configured to apply a mechanical force to the resonator member due to said distortion of the unpowered detector member, and cause a change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal generated by the resonator member due to said mechanical three applied to the resonator member; anda thermal insulating member configured to thermally insulate the resonator member from the unpowered detector member; and digital circuitry configured to (i) determine the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal generated by the resonator member as a result of the mechanical force applied to the resonator member by the unpowered detector member, and to (ii) determine an amount of said photon exposure based on the determined frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal generated by the resonator member.