MEMS Thermal Imager with Optical Readout

01 January 2009

New Image

A cantilever-based uncooled IR imager was developed utilizing a novel optical readout scheme based on inter-pixel interference. A series of small arrays (approximately 100 x 100 pixels) were fabricated using 8-inch silicon CMOS-compatible MEMS processes. The array design and process development will be discussed and initial uniformity and imaging results presented. Future challenges in developing a direct-view IR imager will be addressed.