In one approach, a method of fabricating radiation detection devices includes: forming a structural layer overlying a frontside of a substrate; forming a metallic layer overlying the structural layer; releasing each of a plurality of devices on the substrate by etching a backside of the substrate, wherein each device comprises a plate and legs attached to the plate, the legs comprising at least a portion of the metallic layer; and sealing each of the plurality of devices, the sealing comprising: attaching a transparent cavity cap to the frontside of the substrate; and attaching a radiation-transparent substrate to the backside of the substrate.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing using sequential beam splitting. The apparatuses can include a micro-mirror chip having a plurality of light reflecting surfaces, an image sensor having an imaging surface, and a beamsplitter unit located between the micro-mirror chip and the image sensor. The beamsplitter unit includes a plurality of beamsplitters aligned along a horizontal axis that is parallel to the micro-mirror chip and the imaging surface. The beamsplitters implement the sequential beam splitting. Because of the structure of the beamsplitter unit, the height of the arrangement of the micro-mirror chip, the beamsplitter unit, and the image sensor is reduced such that the arrangement can fit within a mobile device. Within a mobile device, the apparatuses can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.

In one approach, a method of fabricating radiation detection devices includes: forming a structural layer overlying a frontside of a substrate; forming a metallic layer overlying the structural layer; releasing each of a plurality of devices on the substrate by etching a backside of the substrate, wherein each device comprises a plate and legs attached to the plate, the legs comprising at least a portion of the metallic layer; and sealing each of the plurality of devices, the sealing comprising: attaching a transparent cavity cap to the frontside of the substrate; and attaching a radiation-transparent substrate to the backside of the substrate.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for providing electromagnetic radiation sensing. The apparatus includes a radiation detection sensor including a plurality of micromechanical radiation sensing pixels having a reflecting top surface and configured to deflect light incident on the reflective surface as a function of an intensity of sensed radiation. In some implementations, the apparatus has equal sensitivities for at least some of the sensing pixels. In some implementations, the apparatus can provide adjustable sensitivity and measurement range. The apparatus can be utilized for human detection, fire detection, gas detection, temperature measurements, environmental monitoring, energy saving, behavior analysis, surveillance, information gathering and for human-machine interfaces.

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.

Methods and devices are disclosed for sensing radiation emitted by an object. For example, one device includes a substrate and a movable layer coupled to the substrate. The movable layer is configured to receive radiation from the object and move relative to the substrate to a position in response to a change in temperature. The device also includes a sensor that is configured to produce a signal responsive to the position of the movable layer. The signal is indicative of the radiation emitted by the object.

A method of fabricating electromagnetic radiation detection devices including: forming a first mask on a substrate; forming a structural layer on the substrate using the first mask; forming a metallic layer overlying the structural layer; removing the first mask; forming a second mask on the substrate, the second mask comprising mask openings; selectively patterning the metallic layer using the mask openings; and removing the second mask.

Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided, which are based on a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) framework. With such framework, a CTE-based passive detector structure includes a detector member that is configured to expand or contract in response to thermal heating resulting from photon exposure. The expanding/contracting CTE detector structure is configured to exert mechanical forces on resistor and/or capacitor circuit elements, which are part of an oscillator circuit, to vary the resistance and capacitance of such circuit elements and change a frequency or period of oscillation of an output signal of the oscillator circuit. The change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal of the oscillator circuit is utilized to determine an amount of photon exposure of the CTE-based detector.

Passive detector structures for imaging systems are provided, which are based on a coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) framework. With such framework, a CTE-based passive detector structure includes a detector member that is configured to expand or contract in response to thermal heating resulting from photon exposure. The expanding/contracting CTE detector structure is configured to exert mechanical forces on resistor and/or capacitor circuit elements, which are part of an oscillator circuit, to vary the resistance and capacitance of such circuit elements and change a frequency or period of oscillation of an output signal of the oscillator circuit. The change in the frequency or period of oscillation of the output signal of the oscillator circuit is utilized to determine an amount of photon exposure of the CTE-based detector.