64/256-Element Thermopile, Infrared Sensor Chip with 4 Built-In Amplifiers for use in Atmospheric Pressure Conditions

There are two basic types of far infrared (IR) detectors. One type are photon detectors, and the other type are thermal detectors. Photon detectors are fast and have high responsivity, but they have to be used in cryogenically-cooled conditions in order to detect low-energy infrared photons. Accordingly, they need expensive coolers that increases the cost, size and power consumption. On the other hand, thermal detectors do not require cooling, eliminating the need for these extra resources. Consequently, uncooled thermal detectors are increasingly used in consumer applications.