BABAR: Black Array of Broadband Absolute Radiometers for far infrared sensing

Published

May 13, 2019

Author(s)

Christopher S. Yung, Nathan A. Tomlin, Cameron Straatsma, Joel Rutkowski, Erik Richard, Dave Harber, John H. Lehman, Michelle S. Stephens

Abstract

Currently at NIST, there is an effort to develop a black array of broadband absolute radiometers (BABAR) for far infrared sensing. The linear array of radiometer elements is based on uncooled vanadium oxide (VOx) microbolometer pixel technology but with the addition of two elements: vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VACNTs) and an electrical substitution heater. Traditional microbolometer pixels use a thermistor film as an absorber, which is placed a quarter wavelength above a reflector, typically limiting absorption to a narrow band from 8 – 15 µm. To extend the sensing range of the imaging array into the far infrared (20 – 100 µm), we are replacing the cavity with a single absorber of VACNTs. In addition, each pixel has an electrical substitution heater which can be used to determine equivalent incident optical power when the device is non- illuminated. This device forms the basis of an absolute radiometer, eliminating the need for an external reference (e.g. blackbody source).

Proceedings Title

Proceedings of SPIE: Defense Commercial Sensing

Volume

10980

Conference Dates

April 14-18, 2019

Conference Location

Baltimore, MD

Pub Type

Conferences

Download Paper

https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2516047

Keywords

Microbolometer, carbon nanotubes, vanadium oxide thermistor, electrical substitution radiometer, focal plane array

Citation

Yung, C. , Tomlin, N. , Straatsma, C. , Rutkowski, J. , Richard, E. , Harber, D. , Lehman, J. and Stephens, M. (2019), BABAR: Black Array of Broadband Absolute Radiometers for far infrared sensing, Proceedings of SPIE: Defense Commercial Sensing, Baltimore, MD, [online], https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2516047 (Accessed October 28, 2025)