Title
High-responsivity thermoelectric infrared detectors with stand-alone sub-micrometer polysilicon wires
Abbreviated Journal Title
J. Micromech. Microeng.
Keywords
thermoelectric; thermopile; infrared detector; polysilicon; low noise; high responsivity; POLYCRYSTALLINE SILICON FILMS; THERMAL-CONDUCTIVITY; OPTICAL-CONSTANTS; THIN-FILMS; TRANSMITTANCE; PERFORMANCE; REFLECTANCE; FIGURES; MERIT; Engineering, Electrical & Electronic; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology; Instruments & Instrumentation; Materials Science, Multidisciplinary; Mechanics
Abstract
A novel high-responsivity uncooled thermoelectric (TE) infrared (IR) detector is designed, fabricated and characterized. This detector features a single stand-alone polysilicon-based thermocouple (without a supporting membrane) covered by an umbrella-like optical cavity IR absorber. It is proved that the highest responsivity in the developed detectors can be achieved with only one thermocouple. Using a single thermocouple also results in a low resistance detector, which consequently limits the Johnson noise (e.g. less than 30 nv/root Hz in this work). Since the sub-micrometer polysilicon TE wires are the only heat path from the hot junction to the substrate, a superior thermal isolation is achieved. A responsivity of 1800 V W-1 and a detectivity of 2* 10(8) (cm Hz(1/2) W-1) are measured from a 20 x 20 mu m detector comparable to the performance of detectors used in commercial focal planar arrays [1]. This performance in a compact and manufacturable design elevates the position of thermoelectric IR sensors as a candidate for low-power, high performance and inexpensive focal planar arrays.
Journal Title
Journal of Micromechanics and Microengineering
Volume
24
Issue/Number
12
Publication Date
1-1-2014
Document Type
Article
Language
English
First Page
9
WOS Identifier
ISSN
0960-1317
Recommended Citation
"High-responsivity thermoelectric infrared detectors with stand-alone sub-micrometer polysilicon wires" (2014). Faculty Bibliography 2010s. 5846.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/facultybib2010/5846
Comments
Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu