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2010
Journal Article
Title
Micromachined mid-infrared emitter for fast transient temperature operation for optical gas sensing systems
Abstract
A micromachined thermal emitter for fast transient temperature operation with a novel hot-plate concept is presented. This concept is based on a nonaxis-symmetric design with excellent mechanical properties during temperature modulation combined with high thermal decoupling. Especially, the mechanical stress induced by the thermal expansion of the hot-plate and their suspension was improved. This results in a reduced sensitivity for buckling of the hot-plate. The thermal emitter is fabricated using silicon on insulator (SOI) technology and KOH-etching. Different suspension structures were realized and mechanical and thermal characterizations were performed. Besides the realization of the new hot-plate suspension design, a high thermal emission at wavelengths > 5 mum has been achieved using ceramic coatings for emissivity enhancement. This kind of emission tuning owns-in contrast to the typical surface and bulk structuring methods-the possibility to act simultaneously as a heater passivation.
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