Infrared thermopile detectors are used to take non-contact temperature measurements based on the infrared (IR) energy an object emits. They are made up of small sensors called thermocouples, and when in contact with IR, they produce an electric voltage. Infrared thermopile detectors have an important role in various industries and are frequently used for industrial manufacturing processes and environmental monitoring applications. This blog post will provide an introduction to infrared thermopile detectors, along with their advantages and applications.

Understanding Infrared Radiation

Before diving into how IR thermopile detectors work, it’s important to understand the basics of infrared radiation. Infrared radiation is a type of energy with wavelengths longer than visible light but shorter than radio waves, which fall in the range of 780nm and 1mm. So, although it is not visible to the human eye, it can be felt as heat. Every object emits infrared radiation, enabling researchers to understand properties such as heat distribution and temperature variations.

How Infrared Thermopile Detectors Work

The main components of infrared thermopile detectors are thermopile sensors, which operate based on the Seebeck effect principle. As mentioned, they comprise several thermocouples. Each thermocouple consists of at least two wires made from different metals, and at one end, the wires are joined together to form a junction. These wires produce a voltage proportional to the temperature gradient across their junctions. This signal can then be amplified, processed, and converted into meaningful temperature data.

Advantages and Limitations of Infrared Thermopile Detectors

There are many benefits to using infrared thermopile detectors, including non-contact temperature measurement, which enables remote sensing in challenging environments. Their fast response time enables real-time monitoring, while their high sensitivity ensures the detection of even subtle temperature changes. Furthermore, these detectors can be hermetically sealed, protecting them from environmental factors.

Recognizing Limitations

Despite their remarkable capabilities, infrared thermopile detectors have a few limitations. They typically operate within a specific spectral range, limiting their suitability for certain applications. Ambient temperature variations may affect accuracy, necessitating careful calibration and compensation techniques. Evaluating these limitations when selecting an appropriate detection solution is essential, as they may not suit every application.

Comparison with Other Infrared Detectors

Infrared thermopile detectors provide distinct advantages over other types of infrared sensors, such as bolometers or pyroelectric detectors. Thermopiles offer greater sensitivity, a wider field of view, and higher temperature measurement capabilities, making them ideal for various scientific and industrial applications.

Infrared Thermopile Detectors from Dexter Research Centre

Dexter Research Center, a pioneer in infrared thermopile detectors since 1977, leads the industry with an extensive selection of cutting-edge thermopiles. The product line includes high-quality Bismuth-Antimony thin-film and silicon-based thermopile detectors renowned for their superior performance and reliability.

Not only do we offer an exceptional range of standard products, but we also specialize in custom thermopile detectors and modules. Their expertise ensures tailored solutions for specific application requirements, while their commitment to quality and reliability guarantees unrivaled performance.

Contact us today for more information about the thermopile detectors we offer.

Among the 2.9 tons of mission critical supplies delivered to the International Space Station by the Progress M-13M spacecraft in early November were two tiny but critical infrared thermopile sensor detectors from Dexter Research Center, a Michigan company located just west of Ann Arbor.

The combined weight of the precision non-contact infrared sensors from Dexter Research, the ST-60 and the 2M, is less than an ounce.

The International Space Station is intended to be a laboratory, observatory and factory in space, as well as a staging base for possible future missions to the Moon, Mars and asteroids. The successful launch and docking determined that the International Space Station will remain open for business in the wake of the retirement of the US Space Shuttle vehicles.

Space weather, space medicine, human research, life sciences, astronomy and meteorology are among the research conducted by a six-person crew that was successfully resupplied by the rocket launch. Data is being gathered on the effects of long-term space exposure to the human body, advancing NASA’s understanding of muscle atrophy, bone loss and fluid shift.

The Dexter Research infrared sensor detectors provide a low power source of data collection within a new and more effective radiometric diagnostic device for droplet combustion experiments. The NASA package as delivered is expected to be installed and operational early in 2012.

According to NASA, the Combustion Integrated Rack “is used to perform combustion experiments in microgravity. The CIR can be reconfigured easily on orbit to accommodate a variety of combustion experiments. It consists of an optics bench, a combustion chamber, a fuel and oxidizer management system, environmental management systems, and interfaces for science diagnostics and experiment specific equipment. For diagnostic purposes, five different cameras are available for use by the investigator. The CIR features a 100-liter combustion chamber surrounded by optical equipment and diagnostic packages, including a gas chromatograph. Experiments are conducted by remote control from the Glenn Research Center (GRC) Telescience Support Center (TSC).”

The data generated by the Dexter Research detectors and other sophisticated equipment will be used to determine whether lengthy human space flight and space colonization are feasible.

Since 1977, Dexter Research has been the preferred provider of infrared thermopile detectors for science and industry. Today, the company offers the world’s largest selection of thermopile-based solutions including high quality, high-output Bismuth-Antimony thin film and silicon-based infrared-sensing thermopile detectors. Known for their industry-leading reliability and durability, as well as superior signal characteristics, Dexter Research infrared sensor detectors have flown on previous Space Shuttle missions and have mapped the Ozone layer of the Earth as well as being deployed across the automotive, medical, biomedical, fire suppression, and temperature sensor industries.

Other information on the International Space Station and Progress M-13M spacecraft may be found at:

http://www.photonics.com/Article.aspx?AID=49912  

http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/research/experiments/CIR.html
http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2011/11/progress-successfully-docks-iss-stage-set-return-manned-soyuz-flight/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Progress_M-13M

DEXTER RESEARCH PRODUCT LEADERSHIP PART DEUX:

TESTS CONFIRM NEXT GENERATION IR DETECTORS PERFORM TO MIL-SPEC

Dexter Michigan, October 4, 2011 — For thirty-five years, Dexter Research thin-film infrared detectors have been the most reliable and durable solution for non-contact infrared sensing. Withstanding up to 1000G’s of mechanical shock and 30G’s of random vibration, these tiny wonders can provide non-contact temperature sensing accuracy up to 0.1°C.

No wonder Dexter detectors have been frequent passengers on NASA Space Shuttle flights and served as the chosen detector for military combat vehicle and combat aircraft fire suppression systems.

Now intensive MIL-STD-883H testing performed by Trialon Corporation, an independent testing facility, confirms that Dexter Research’s silicon-based detector family meets the same rugged requirements of 1000G for mechanical shock and 30G in random vibration.

The MIL-STD-883 MIL-spec testing protocol establishes rigorous uniform methods, controls and procedures to test microelectronic devices for their suitability for use in military and aerospace electronic systems. The testing also determines survivability in the harsh environmental conditions that characterize military and space missions.

“This testing demonstrates that Dexter Research has been able to transfer its industry-leading reliability, durability and performance to its next generation silicon infrared detectors,” said Rob Toth, President of Dexter Research.

Dexter Products that set this benchmark for MIL-Spec reliability and durability are Models ST-60, ST-120, ST-150 and S60.

All testing at Trialon is supported by a signed Test Report outlining the equipment name, model number, calibration due date, tolerance, setup, and method of test. All tests were performed at prevailing site altitude, at a room temperature of 20°±5°C (68°±9°F). Humidity temperature cycle testing was in accordance with MIL-Spec 810C.

For more information, email DetectAndManage@DexterResearch.com or call Kurt Hochrein at +1 734 426-3921

Dexter Research Center announces the availability of its new MD Series Temperature Sensor Module. The sensor is integrated with signal conditioning that reliably produces a calibrated temperature output in a plug and play package, with options. Programmable outputs and flexible supplies yield a turnkey solution for medical, consumer, commercial and industrial applications.

The module has better than 0.5°C repeatability in the range 0-50°C and its standard calibration covers a wide temperature range; -40 to 85°C for ambient temperature and -70 to 310°C for object temperature.

Also available is the Temperature Sensor Module Evaluation Board. The board is designed to support the Temperature Sensor Module, quickly allowing customers to configure the Module for different temperature ranges, optics, etc. to find the best configuration to meet their application needs without the need to design any additional hardware.