Characterization of a Polymer-Based MEMS Pyroelectric Infrared Detector

<p>AFRL/MLPJE had developed a novel thermal sensing material termed proteinimpregnated- polymer (PIP). Thus far a proof-of-concept has been demonstrated using a macro-sized pixel (0.64 mm2) as a bolometric detector. In an effort to better characterize this novel thermal sensing material experimental data was used to determine figures of merit (FOMs) comparative to off-the-shelf thermal detectors. Microelectromechanical (MEMS) pixels were designed and used as the support structure for an inkjet-deposited droplet of the PIP. During the material characterization two observations were made: PIP is a pyroelectric material and the polymer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)) without the protein was found to be more suited for measurements taken on the micro-scaled pixels. Both PVA and PVA doped with carbon black (PVA_CB) were the materials focused on in this research with the latter being the material used for FOM characterization. Pyroelectric coefficients for PVA and PVA_CB were found to be 755.11 nC/(cm2 K) and 108.32 nC/(cm2 K) respectively which are both two orders of magnitude higher than values for current pyroelectric polymers. A responsivity of 1.66 104 V/W thermal time constant of 3.59 sec noise equivalent power of 21.3 nW and a detectivity of 1.93 105 cm Hz/W were the FOMs found in this thesis. Although the calculated FOMs are not stellar in comparison to current thermal detector technology this material shows much promise. The shortfalls in FOMs could potentially be attributed to a poor pixel design. This thesis plants the scientific seed in cultivating a thermal imaging focal plane array (FPA) using a newly found pyroelectric polymer.</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>