Study and calculation of thermal conductance of thermal infrared detectors using finite element method

Abstract

In this paper, a multilayer thermal infrared detector model has been achieved by finite element method (FEM). All contributions of the thermal conductance were taken into account and calculated. In order to maximize the detector response, it is necessary to reduce the thermal conductance. Dynamic simulation in 3D was used to optimize this FEM model. The effect of the substrate properties of the detector on its response has been studied. Moreover, different boundary conditions have been analyzed. Optimal detector response values are obtained when the substrate thermal conductivity and its thickness are small. Moreover, a vacuum packing of the detector will be necessary to increase the detector responsivity.