A method for processing a raw image characterized by raw measurements S.sub.p(i,j) that are associated with active bolometers B.sub.pix_(i,j) of an imager, which bolometers are arranged in a matrix array, the imager being at an ambient temperature T.sub.amb and furthermore comprising blind bolometers B.sub.b_(k), the method, which is executed by a computer that is provided with a memory, comprising the following steps: a) a step of calculating the electrical resistances R.sub.Tc(i,j) and R.sub.Tc(k), at the temperature T.sub.amb, of the active and blind bolometers, respectively, from their respective electrical resistances R.sub.Tr(i,j) and R.sub.Tr(k) at a reference temperature T.sub.r, said resistances being stored in the memory; b) a step of determining the temperatures T.sub.sc(i,j) actually measured by each of the active bolometers B.sub.pix_(i,j) from the electrical resistances calculated in step a) and from the raw measurements S.sub.p(i,j).

Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing an improved electromagnetic radiation sensing micromechanical device to be utilized in high pixel-density pixel sensor arrays. The device includes an improved design for improved and adjustable performance through simple geometric or fabrication means. Furthermore, the design of the device lends itself to simple micromechanical manufacturing procedures. Additionally, the manufacturing procedures include a method to enable high uniformity and high yield sensor arrays. Arrays of the device can be utilized as IR imaging detectors for use in applications such as human presence detection, nonvisual environment monitoring, security and safety, surveillance, energy monitoring, fire detection and people counting.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing an improved electromagnetic radiation sensing micromechanical device to be utilized in high pixel-density pixel sensor arrays. The device includes an improved design for improved and adjustable performance through simple geometric or fabrication means. Furthermore, the design of the device lends itself to simple micromechanical manufacturing procedures. Additionally, the manufacturing procedures include a method to enable high uniformity and high yield sensor arrays. Arrays of the device can be utilized as IR imaging detectors for use in applications such as human presence detection, nonvisual environment monitoring, security and safety, surveillance, energy monitoring, fire detection and people counting.

A semiconductor sensor system, in particular a bolometer, includes a substrate, an electrode supported by the substrate, an absorber spaced apart from the substrate, a voltage source, and a current source. The electrode can include a mirror, or the system may include a mirror separate from the electrode. Radiation absorption efficiency of the absorber is based on a minimum gap distance between the absorber and mirror. The current source applies a DC current across the absorber structure to produce a signal indicative of radiation absorbed by the absorber structure. The voltage source powers the electrode to produce a modulated electrostatic field acting on the absorber to modulate the minimum gap distance. The electrostatic field includes a DC component to adjust the absorption efficiency, and an AC component that cyclically drives the absorber to negatively interfere with noise in the signal.

A semiconductor device for flame detection, including: a semiconductor body having a first conductivity type conductivity, delimited by a front surface and forming a cathode region; an anode region having a second conductivity type conductivity, which extends within the semiconductor body, starting from the front surface, and forms, together with the cathode region, the junction of a photodiode that detect ultraviolet radiation emitted by the flames; a supporting dielectric region; and a sensitive region, which is arranged on the supporting dielectric region and varies its own resistance as a function of the infrared radiation emitted by the flames.

A method makes an electromagnetic radiation detecting device including at least one thermal detector with an absorbent membrane suspended above a substrate, intended to be located in a sealed cavity. The method includes depositing, on the substrate, a gettering metallic layer including a metallic material with a gettering effect; depositing a carbonaceous sacrificial layer of amorphous carbon on the gettering metallic layer; depositing at least one sacrificial mineral layer on the carbonaceous sacrificial layer; chemical-mechanical planarization of the sacrificial mineral layer; fabricating the thermal detector so that the absorbent membrane is produced on the sacrificial mineral layer; removing the sacrificial mineral layer; and removing the carbonaceous sacrificial layer.

A bolometer. In one embodiment a graphene sheet is configured to absorb electromagnetic waves. The graphene sheet has two contacts connected to an amplifier, and a power detector connected to the amplifier. Electromagnetic power in the evanescent electromagnetic waves is absorbed in the graphene sheet, heating the graphene sheet. The power of Johnson noise generated at the contacts is proportional to the temperature of the graphene sheet. The Johnson noise is amplified and the power in the Johnson noise is used as a measure of the temperature of the graphene sheet, and of the amount of electromagnetic wave power absorbed by the graphene sheet.

A device for detecting electromagnetic radiation includes at least one thermal detector, placed on a substrate; an encapsulating structure forming a cavity housing the thermal detector, including at least one thin encapsulating layer; and at least one Fabry-Perot interference filter, formed by first and second semi-reflective mirrors that are separated from each other by a structured layer. A high-index layer of one of the semi-reflective mirrors is at least partially formed from the thin encapsulating layer.

A composite for sensing heat or infrared light includes a block copolymer including a first structural group represented by Chemical Formula 1, a second structural group represented by Chemical Formula 2, and a third structural group represented by Chemical Formula 3; and a polyvalent metal ion that is coordinated with a side chain group of the block copolymer.

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A low profile temperature transducer has a working surface for placement against a body surface and a first output. The transducer is a flat laminate composed of alternating conductive and dielectric layers. The laminate defines at least one slotline antenna for exposure to the body surface to pick up thermal emissions from the underlying tissue at depth. A feed network having a characteristic impedance is connected to the first output and a slotline-to-stripline transition is connected between the at least one antenna and the feed network, the transition providing a match between the impedance at the at least one antenna and the characteristic impedance. Also, a temperature sensor may be present at the working surface to detect the body surface temperature under the transducer, that surface temperature being used to calculate actual temperature at depth.