FLEXIBLE HIGH PERFORMANCE MICROBOLOMETER DETECTOR MATERIAL FABRICATED VIA CONTROLLED ION BEAM SPUTTER DEPOSITION PROCESS

摘要

A microbolometer film material VOx having a value such that the thermal coefficient of resistance is between 0.005 and 0.05. The film material may be formed on a wafer. The VOx material properties can be changed or modified by controlling certain parameters in the ion beam sputter deposition environment. There is sufficient control of the oxidation process to permit non-stoichometric formation of VOx films. The process is a low temperature process (less than 100 degrees C.). Argon is used for sputtering a target of vanadium in an environment wherein the oxygen level is controlled to determine the x of VOx. The thickness of the film is controlled by the time of the deposition. Other layers may be deposited as needed to form pixels for a bolometer array.