Integrating Bolometers for Infrared Detector Arrays

摘要

The study is an investigation into the feasibility of operating cryogenic semiconductor bolometers in an integrating mode. The operating mode potentially has significantly higher sensitivity than existing designs. A concept for a heat switch utilizing the large difference in thermal conductances between the normal and superconducting states of certain materials is presented. The report reviews the theory of bolometer operation and the use of superconductors as cryogenic thermal switches. An experimental demonstration of the concept is described in the report. The test used a silicon bolometer suspended on metalized glass fibers. The superconductive switch was a vacuum evaporated Pb film. A variation of a factor of two in the bolometer thermal conductivity was observed.