IMAGING DEVICES AND SYSTEMS

摘要

In a thermal-radiation imaging device a detector element comprises a semiconductor strip, e.g. of n-type cadmium mercury telluride, on which biasing-electrode means are spaced for causing a bias current predominantly of majority charge carriers to flow along each strip. The bias current supports an ambipolar drift of radiation-generated charge carriers in the opposite direction. A readout area is present in a part of the drift path between a pair of spaced electrodes. At least one space extends locally across the width of strip in-between the spaced readout electrodes from at least one side of the readout area to narrow at least locally the drift path in the readout area and to increase the electric field. A detector having increased responsivity results, particularly when at least two spaces extend from opposite sides to form a meandering drift path in the read-out area. Close spacing of the readout electrodes permits good image resolution even with a long meandering drift path.