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Problem
An optical readout for a thermal detector array solves several critical problems in systems that require the detection and measurement of infrared (IR) radiation or heat.
Invention
The invention is a readout method for a novel detector array designed to measure mm-wave, submm, THz, and/or IR. The main components are a waveguide, waveguide splitters, waveguide-coupled resonator pixel array (primary), and a secondary detector array.
Potential Commercial Applications
Infrared imaging ; Surveillance ; Medical diagnostics; Industrial monitoring; and many more fields.
Competitive Advantage
The detector array is potentially much more sensitive, stable, and fast due to the passive, negative photothermal feedback. The lack of metal traces to each pixel potentially increases the thermal isolation of each pixel. The use of optical resonators as temperature sensors potentially increases the sensitivity to incoming radiation (due to high Q factors and low noise).