An apparatus and method wherein the apparatus comprises: a sensing material configured to produce a non-random distribution of free charges in response to a parameter; an electric field sensor; a first conductive electrode comprising a first area over-lapping the sensing material; an insulator provided between the first conductive electrode and the sensing material; a second electrode comprising a second area adjacent the electric field sensor; and a conductive interconnection between the first conductive electrode and the second conductive electrode.

An infra-red detection device comprising an infra-red detection section; a plurality of optical elements arranged to direct infra-red radiation to the infrared detection section; and a masking section arranged to partially mask a first optical element of the plurality of optical elements, such that a first part of the first optical element is masked and a second part of the first optical element is not masked, such that the masking section is arranged to attenuate infra-red radiation directed via the first optical element.

An infra-red detection device comprising an infra-red detection section; a plurality of optical elements arranged to direct infra-red radiation to the infrared detection section; and a masking section arranged to partially mask a first optical element of the plurality of optical elements, such that a first part of the first optical element is masked and a second part of the first optical element is not masked, such that the masking section is arranged to attenuate infra-red radiation directed via the first optical element.

Graphene and ferroelectric materials are used as tunable sensors for detecting and measuring radiation, such as infrared radiation. The low absorption and reflectance of graphene and interconnected graphene networks, for example in the infrared, are exploited for use in such tunable sensors. The active layer makes use of a unique property of ferroelectric materials, known as the pyroelectric effect, for measuring the intensity of impinging radiation. Using graphene electrodes may offer a significant increase in sensitivity, tunability and mechanical flexibility of sensors, such as infrared sensors. In one method, intensity of radiation is measured using variations in the doping level of the graphene electrode.

Graphene and ferroelectric materials are used as tunable sensors for detecting and measuring radiation, such as infrared radiation. The low absorption and reflectance of graphene and interconnected graphene networks, for example in the infrared, are exploited for use in such tunable sensors. The active layer makes use of a unique property of ferroelectric materials, known as the pyroelectric effect, for measuring the intensity of impinging radiation. Using graphene electrodes may offer a significant increase in sensitivity, tunability and mechanical flexibility of sensors, such as infrared sensors. In one method, intensity of radiation is measured using variations in the doping level of the graphene electrode.

A radiation detector includes a substrate and a membrane suspended above the substrate by spacers, wherein the spacers electrically contact a radiation sensor formed in the membrane and thermally insulate the membrane from the substrate.

A radiation detector includes a substrate and a membrane suspended above the substrate by spacers, wherein the spacers electrically contact a radiation sensor formed in the membrane and thermally insulate the membrane from the substrate.

Wireless temperature sensing systems and methods include an active sensor for determining temperature parameters in harsh environments, such as in very high temperature conditions, and wireless conveyance of the detected parameters. In an example embodiment, a pyroelectric element can generate a voltage when subjected to a temperature change. A coil is electrically coupled to the pyroelectric element and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current induced by the voltage generated by the pyroelectric element. A pickup is electromagnetically coupled with and detects the magnetic field generated by the coil, and the pickup is configured to provide an output corresponding to the detected magnetic field.

Wireless temperature sensing systems and methods include an active sensor for determining temperature parameters in harsh environments, such as in very high temperature conditions, and wireless conveyance of the detected parameters. In an example embodiment, a pyroelectric element can generate a voltage when subjected to a temperature change. A coil is electrically coupled to the pyroelectric element and configured to generate a magnetic field in response to a current induced by the voltage generated by the pyroelectric element. A pickup is electromagnetically coupled with and detects the magnetic field generated by the coil, and the pickup is configured to provide an output corresponding to the detected magnetic field.

An infrared detector is provided, and the infrared detector includes: a thermoelectric element; an infrared light absorber, located on and in contact with the thermoelectric element, and configured to absorb infrared light and convert infrared light into heat; an electrical signal detector, electrically connected to the thermoelectric element and configured to detect a change in electrical performance of the thermoelectric element; wherein the infrared light absorber includes a carbon nanotube array, the carbon nanotube array includes a plurality of carbon nanotubes, a height of the plurality of carbon nanotubes are substantially the same, and the plurality of carbon nanotubes are perpendicular to the thermoelectric element.