A Scalable Fabrication Process for Liquid Crystal Based Uncooled Thermal Imagers

Abstract

A novel sensor is being developed for a new uncooled imager technology that is scalable to large formats (tens of mega pixels) which is greater than what is achieved by commercial micro-bolometer arrays. In this novel sensor, a liquid crystal transducer is used to change a long-wavelength infrared scene into a visible image that can be detected using a conventional visible imager. This approach has the potential for making a more flexible thermal sensor that can be optimized for a variety of applications. In this paper, we describe the microfabrication processes required to create an array of sealed, thermally isolated micro-cavities filled with liquid crystals to be used for an uncooled thermal imager. Experimental results from the fabricated arrays will also be discussed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Feb 12, 2016
Accession Number
AD1033865

Entities

People

  • Carl O. Bozler
  • Colin Mcginty
  • Douglas Bryant
  • Harry Jr R Clark
  • Phillip Bos
  • Robert K. Reich
  • Shaun Berry
  • Valerie Finnemeyer

Organizations

  • MIT Lincoln Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ceramic Materials
  • Charge Coupled Devices
  • Chemistry
  • Climate Change
  • Detectors
  • Fabrication
  • Films
  • Images
  • Liquid Crystals
  • Materials
  • Microelectromechanical Systems
  • Microfabrication
  • Optical Materials
  • Resistance
  • Silicon Dioxide
  • Thermal Resistance
  • Visible Spectra

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Image Processing and Computer Vision.
  • Integrated Circuit Design and Technology.