Thermal protection mechanism for uncooled microbolometers.

摘要

Methods and apparatus for preventing sun damage, and other heat-related damage to uncooled microbolometer pixels. In certain instances, at least some of the pixels of the uncooled microbolometer are configured with a bimetallic thermal shorting structure that protects the pixel(s) from excessive thermal damage. In another example, a highly reflective thermochromic film at a temperature exceeding a certain threshold is applied on a microbolometer pixel to prevent the pixel from being damaged by excessive heat.