Prototype demonstration of low cost uncooled infrared focal plane arrays by using simple readout circuit

Abstract

A new simple readout circuit is proposed for uncooled infrared focal plane arrays. Using this circuit, we have demonstrated the prototype of an infrared imaging system with 64 pixel elements. To get the infrared image, we employed a direct wire bonding between the bolometer array and the external multiplex circuits, instead of a complex and expensive CMOS integrated circuit. We verified that this readout method could form an easy electrical connection between bolometer arrays and readout electronics, so we fabricated the infrared imaging system at very low cost and in a reasonable time. We fabricated the VOx 8 x 8 bolometer arrays and readout circuit, respectively, and these are interconnected by wire bonding. Using this readout method, we constructed the infrared imaging system and acquired a very clear cross-shaped infrared image.