European uncooled thermal imaging sensors

Abstract

There is a widespread requirement for low cost lightweight thermal imaging sensors for both military and civilian applications. In Europe, these requires are now being met by systems using large uncooled ferroelectric detector arrays offering performance levels which, until recently, could only be achieved by expensive cryogenically cooled systems. The uncooled technologies a result of collaboration between the UK Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) and Marconi Electronic Systems (MES) under a 'Dual Use Technology Program (DUTP). The successes from this program have resulted in developments for civil applications, including both hand held and helmet mounted fire-fighter's thermal imaging cameras. Military applications include personal surveillance sensors, vehicle driving aids, airborne flying aids and thermal weapon sighting systems. The products available to date have been based on hybrid ferroelectric detector technology in which the IR sensing material is manufactured separately from the silicon readout circuit to which it is subsequently bonded. Meanwhile, the ongoing DUTP program is developing a high performance 'integrated' detector technology in which the ferroelectric ceramic material is deposited as a microbridge structure directly onto the silicon readout circuit. The improved performance available from this approach will realize major enhancement and cost reductions to be achieved in future thermal imaging sensor developments.