摘要:
A thermal imaging device including: a substrate; and an array of thermally tunable pixel elements for generating a thermal image, each thermally tunable pixel element including: a plurality of thermally tunable filter islands, each of which has a thermally tunable optical filter, wherein each of the plurality of tunable filter islands within that pixel element is thermally isolated from the other tunable filter islands within that tunable pixel element; an absorption structure for absorbing incident optical thermal energy; and a mechanical structure supporting the plurality of tunable filter islands and the absorption structure on the substrate.
摘要:
An apparatus includes a thin-film interference filter structure having a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.
摘要:
A thin-film interference filter structure has a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.
摘要:
A thin-film interference filter structure has a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.
摘要:
An apparatus includes a thin-film interference filter structure having a generally wavelength-dependent resonant response to incident optical energy in a predetermined range of wavelengths. The thin-film interference filter structure includes a thermally tunable layer having a thermally tunable optical characteristic such that a range of wavelength-dependent resonant optical responses of the thermally tunable layer are induced by a corresponding range of thermal conditions of the thermally tunable layer. The thin-film interference filter structure is configured to (1) receive a spatially varying pattern of thermal energy at the thermally tunable layer to impart a corresponding spatially varying pattern to the thermally tunable characteristic of the thermally tunable layer, and (2) receive the incident optical energy into the thermally tunable layer and output optical energy having spatial modulation corresponding to the spatially varying pattern of the thermally tunable characteristic.
摘要:
A thermally tunable pixel element includes a substrate; a thermally tunable filter island; a thermal absorption structure in direct thermal contact with and extending beyond the thermally tunable filter island; and a thermal isolation structure providing a thermally isolating path between the thermal absorption structure and the substrate.
摘要:
A sensor assembly has a substrate with a microchannel formed therein through which a fluid can flow. At least one sensor is proximate to the microchannel. The temperature of the at least one sensor or fluid may indicate the condition of the fluid, for example, the flow rate and the presence of gas bubbles and particulate substances.
摘要:
A micromachined coupler for coupling a capillary having a first size to an orifice having a shape and a second size, has a body which has a shape conforming the shape of the cavity into which the body must fit. A through hole is defined through the body. The through hole has a size conforming to the first size of the capillary. The capillary is disposable into the through hole so that the capillary is communicated to the orifice without the first and second sizes necessarily being the same. The cavity and the body have conforming slanting surfaces, and in particular the cavity and the body define truncated pyramidal shapes. The cavity and the body each have a truncated pyramidal shape. The pyramidal shape may be square, triangular, or conical. A method of fabricating the micromachined coupler is achieved either by micromaching or micromolding.
摘要:
A micromachined coupler for coupling a capillary having a first size to an orifice having a shape and a second size, has a body which has a shape conforming the shape of the cavity into which the body must fit. A through hole is defined through the body. The through hole has a size conforming to the first size of the capillary. The capillary is disposable into the through hole so that the capillary is communicated to the orifice without the first and second sizes necessarily being the same. The cavity and the body have conforming slanting surfaces, and in particular the cavity and the body define truncated pyramidal shapes. The cavity and the body each have a truncated pyramidal shape. The pyramidal shape may be square, triangular, or conical. A method of fabricating the micromachined coupler is achieved either by micromaching or micromolding.
摘要:
The present invention is directed to a micro-switch assembly involving a magnetic latching mechanism. In one aspect of the present invention, it involves a micromachined structure that comprises an outer frame, an inner frame pivotally connected to the outer frame and rotates when an external electromagnetic force is applied, and a mechanism for latching the inner frame at a given angle of inclination relative to the outer frame. One embodiment of the present invention involves the use of a magnetic material, such as Permalloy, and permanent magnets to achieve the latching result. A Permalloy piece is attached to the inner frame of the micro-switch assembly and a magnet layer is attached to the outer frame. The magnetic force attracting the Permalloy piece and the magnet layer allows the latching of the two frames to occur in the absence of the external applied electromagnetic force. The use of this magnetic latching mechanism allows a reduction in the use of electric current to maintain a movable frame in a micromachined structure or a micro-switch assembly in a fixed position. It provides greater mechanical and optical stability and less energy consumption. In other embodiments, additional Permalloy pieces can be added to the outer frame to increase the magnetic field, so as to further reduce the electric current necessary for latching and unlatching the frames.