Document Type
Thesis
Date of Award
Fall 1-31-2014
Degree Name
Master of Science in Applied Physics - (M.S.)
Department
Physics
First Advisor
N. M. Ravindra
Second Advisor
Ken Keunhyuk Ahn
Third Advisor
Cristiano L. Dias
Fourth Advisor
Peter Kaufman
Abstract
The design and performance simulation of a novel Microelectromechanical System (MEMS) based infrared detector, that utilizes coefficient of thermal expansion, is discussed. The detector design uses a variety of thermal expansion coefficient materials, including alloys which are connected to ambient through a thermal conducting bridge. The thermal flux, due to the incident IR photons, is determined by the Extended Blackbody Calculator (BBC). These materials are physically interfaced with different types of piezoelectric resonators, constructed using the MEMS process. The expansion due to heating, applies stress to the piezoelectric resonator material. This thermally induced stress forces the resonator to alter its physical frequency and produces a voltage across its ends, as dictated by the piezoelectric effect. The device performance is characterized in terms of the resonator frequency and voltage as a function of the focal plane array’s (pixel’s) temperature. The detector performance is comparable to that of commonly used IR imaging systems currently available in the MWIR and LWIR spectral range.
Recommended Citation
Papavieros, George, "Mems approaches in infrared imaging" (2014). Theses. 189.
https://digitalcommons.njit.edu/theses/189
