G01J5/16

SCALABLE THERMOELECTRIC-BASED INFRARED DETECTOR
20210126038 · 2021-04-29 ·

Device and method of forming the device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) region and a sensor region. A substrate cavity is formed in the substrate in the sensor region, the substrate cavity including cavity sidewalls and cavity bottom surface and a membrane which serves as a substrate cavity top surface. The cavity bottom surface includes a reflector. The method also includes forming CMOS devices in the CMOS region, forming a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) component on the membrane, and forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric disposed on the substrate having a plurality of interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers. The BEOL dielectric includes an opening to expose the MEMS component. The opening forms a BEOL cavity above the MEMS component.

Scalable thermoelectric-based infrared detector

Device and method of forming the device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) region and a sensor region. A substrate cavity is formed in the substrate in the sensor region, the substrate cavity including cavity sidewalls and cavity bottom surface and a membrane which serves as a substrate cavity top surface. The cavity bottom surface includes a reflector. The method also includes forming CMOS devices in the CMOS region, forming a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) component on the membrane, and forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric disposed on the substrate having a plurality of interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers. The BEOL dielectric includes an opening to expose the MEMS component. The opening forms a BEOL cavity above the MEMS component.

Scalable thermoelectric-based infrared detector

Device and method of forming the device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) region and a sensor region. A substrate cavity is formed in the substrate in the sensor region, the substrate cavity including cavity sidewalls and cavity bottom surface and a membrane which serves as a substrate cavity top surface. The cavity bottom surface includes a reflector. The method also includes forming CMOS devices in the CMOS region, forming a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) component on the membrane, and forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric disposed on the substrate having a plurality of interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers. The BEOL dielectric includes an opening to expose the MEMS component. The opening forms a BEOL cavity above the MEMS component.

Infrared sensor chip, and infrared sensor employing same

The disclosure has a configuration including: a supporting substrate having a cavity; at least one bridge section extending directly above the cavity and having at least one end supported by the supporting substrate and an other end; and a thermopile wiring formed in the bridge section and including hot junctions in the bridge section and cold junctions directly above the supporting substrate, the hot junctions being connected to the cold junctions. The bridge section is provided with: at least one breakage detection wiring for detecting breakage of the bridge section; and at least one heater wiring. The breakage detection wiring is wired along the thermopile wiring. The heater wiring is wired such that part of the heater wiring is in an area between the other end of the bridge section and the hot junctions.

Infrared sensor chip, and infrared sensor employing same

The disclosure has a configuration including: a supporting substrate having a cavity; at least one bridge section extending directly above the cavity and having at least one end supported by the supporting substrate and an other end; and a thermopile wiring formed in the bridge section and including hot junctions in the bridge section and cold junctions directly above the supporting substrate, the hot junctions being connected to the cold junctions. The bridge section is provided with: at least one breakage detection wiring for detecting breakage of the bridge section; and at least one heater wiring. The breakage detection wiring is wired along the thermopile wiring. The heater wiring is wired such that part of the heater wiring is in an area between the other end of the bridge section and the hot junctions.

Method for temperature measurements of surfaces with a low, unknown and/or variable emissivity
10955295 · 2021-03-23 · ·

Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to monitor or measure temperature of a target or to control a process. Targets can have low, unknown, or variable emissivity. Devices and corresponding methods can be used to measure temperatures of thin film, partially transparent, or opaque targets, as well as targets not filling a sensor's field of view. Temperature measurements can be made independent of emissivity of a target surface by, for example, inserting a target between a thermopile sensor and a background surface maintained at substantially the same temperature as the thermopile sensor. In embodiment devices and methods, a sensor temperature can be controlled to match a target temperature by minimizing or zeroing a net heat flux at the sensor, as derived from a sensor output signal. Alternatively, a target temperature can be controlled to minimize the heat flux.

Method for temperature measurements of surfaces with a low, unknown and/or variable emissivity
10955295 · 2021-03-23 · ·

Devices and corresponding methods can be provided to monitor or measure temperature of a target or to control a process. Targets can have low, unknown, or variable emissivity. Devices and corresponding methods can be used to measure temperatures of thin film, partially transparent, or opaque targets, as well as targets not filling a sensor's field of view. Temperature measurements can be made independent of emissivity of a target surface by, for example, inserting a target between a thermopile sensor and a background surface maintained at substantially the same temperature as the thermopile sensor. In embodiment devices and methods, a sensor temperature can be controlled to match a target temperature by minimizing or zeroing a net heat flux at the sensor, as derived from a sensor output signal. Alternatively, a target temperature can be controlled to minimize the heat flux.

CMOS cap for MEMS devices

A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device embedded with micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) components in a MEMS region. The MEMS components, for example, are infrared (IR) thermosensors. The device is encapsulated with a CMOS compatible IR transparent cap to hermetically seal the MEMS sensors in the MEMS region. The CMOS cap includes a base cap with release openings and a seal cap which seals the release openings.

CMOS cap for MEMS devices

A complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) device embedded with micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) components in a MEMS region. The MEMS components, for example, are infrared (IR) thermosensors. The device is encapsulated with a CMOS compatible IR transparent cap to hermetically seal the MEMS sensors in the MEMS region. The CMOS cap includes a base cap with release openings and a seal cap which seals the release openings.

Scalable thermoelectric-based infrared detector

Device and method of forming the device are disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate prepared with a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) region and a sensor region. A substrate cavity is formed in the substrate in the sensor region, the substrate cavity including cavity sidewalls and cavity bottom surface and a membrane which serves as a substrate cavity top surface. The cavity bottom surface includes a reflector. The method also includes forming CMOS devices in the CMOS region, forming a micro-electrical mechanical system (MEMS) component on the membrane, and forming a back-end-of-line (BEOL) dielectric disposed on the substrate having a plurality of interlayer dielectric (ILD) layers. The BEOL dielectric includes an opening to expose the MEMS component. The opening forms a BEOL cavity above the MEMS component.