The uncooled infrared sensor is a thermal detector that can operate at an elevated temperature without the need of temperature reduction to enhance its responsivity, detectivity and other radiometric characteristics. The detector materials can be selected to operate at or above room temperature without degradation. Since the devices measure a change in conductance or some other temperature-dependent parameter, they must be temperature-stabilized at or near the selected operating temperature. Depending on the ambient temperature, the TE cooler either heats or cools the sensor to the desired operating temperature.
Marlow provides both stand-alone TE coolers and TE coolers integrated with a ceramic package where the package serves both as the bottom ceramic to the TE cooler as well as the base of the hermetic package for this market.
