EP2715296A1

EP2715296A1 - Spectroscopic detector and corresponding method

Info

Publication number: EP2715296A1
Application number: EP12731168.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Serge Gidon; Sergio Nicoletti; Jean-Louis Ouvrier-Buffet
Original assignee: Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique CEA; Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Current assignee: Commissariat a lEnergie Atomique et aux Energies Alternatives CEA
Priority date: 2011-05-31
Filing date: 2012-05-31
Publication date: 2014-04-09
Also published as: FR2976072B1; WO2012164523A1; FR2976072A1; US20140097343A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a spectroscopic detector, including: at least one waveguide (70) arranged on a substrate (7) and having an input surface (700) to be connected to an electromagnetic source, in particular an infrared source, and a mirror (701) on the opposite surface, so as to generate a standing wave inside the waveguide; and a means for detecting electromagnetic radiation, which output an electrical signal according to the local intensity of the electromagnetic wave, characterised in that said detection means consists of suspended membrane bolometers (72 to 75) distributed between the input surface and the mirror, each membrane of said heat detectors being separated from said at least one waveguide by anchoring points (42) on said substrate (7), and in that means (702 to 705) for sampling a portion of the electromagnetic wave is provided between the input surface and the mirror.

Description

SPECTROSCOPIC DETECTOR AND CORRESPONDING METHOD.

The invention relates to the field of electronic detectors for providing spectral information of an electromagnetic field.

Sensors of this type are known but they have the disadvantage of being limited to a narrow spectral range.

Document FR-2 879 287 describes an operational spectroscopic detector for a spectral width of the order of the bandwidth of a waveguide.

This detector comprises a waveguide having an input face and a mirror on the opposite side, in which a standing wave is created.

This detector also comprises photosensitive local detectors adjacent to the waveguide and regularly distributed between the input face and the waveguide mirror.

These detectors make it possible to sample the intensity of the evanescent waves coming from the waveguide. By sampling the signals provided by the local detectors and by adequate processing, it is possible to obtain the spectrum of the standing wave created in the waveguide.

Moreover, it has been envisaged to use this type of spectroscopic detector to perform gas detection.

This spectroscopic detector has the advantage of being miniaturized at the micron scale. However, the gas detection devices are most often designed in macroscopic optics, which leads to bulky systems.

However, this spectroscopic detector was heretofore realized only to operate in the visible domain.

Indeed, it refers to microbolometers by superconducting wires. However, these microbolometers need to be cooled to the operating temperature of the superconductor, which is between 1 and 100 K. The detector must therefore be placed in a cryogenic chamber which is complex to achieve. In addition, in this temperature range, the optical properties of the materials are not known. Moreover, document FR-2,879,287 does not describe any practical embodiment of a spectroscopic detector including microbolometers of this type.

However, it appears necessary to have detectors also operating in the infrared range, whose wavelength is between about 1 and 1000 pm.

Moreover, in the state of the art, the thermal detectors are made in the form of discrete components. Thus, the realization of the device integrating thermally detectors is necessarily complicated.

Moreover, bolometers made on a CMOS circuit are known. However, they are assembled, as discrete elements, with other constituent elements. However, the assembly techniques of discrete elements are complex and pose problems of alignment and accuracy.

This is why the invention also aims to simplify the realization of the spectroscopic detector.

Thus, the invention relates to a spectroscopic detector comprising at least one waveguide disposed on a substrate and having an input face intended to be connected to an electromagnetic source including infrared, and a mirror on the opposite side, to create a stationary wave within the waveguide, and electromagnetic radiation detection means delivering an electrical signal depending on the local intensity of the electromagnetic wave, characterized in that said detection means are suspended diaphragm bolometers, distributed between the entrance face and the mirror, each membrane of said detectors being spaced from said at least one waveguide by anchoring points on said substrate and in that means for taking a part of the electromagnetic wave are provided between the entrance face of the guide and the mirror. Thus, the detector comprises a single substrate carrying both said at least one waveguide and the thermal detectors.

In a first variant, the sampling means are made on the surface of the waveguide.

They may in particular be constituted by pads arranged on the surface of the waveguide and made of a material of index different from that of the surrounding medium or the waveguide.

These sampling means may also be breaks of continuity made on the surface of the waveguide.

The detector may include a hood to allow the bolometers to be evacuated.

This hood can be common to all bolometers.

It may also consist of a plurality of individual covers each intended for a bolometer.

In the latter case, each individual hood supports a reflector for the bolometer covered by said hood.

In a particular embodiment, several detectors according to the invention are used while being arranged to form a matrix.

The invention also relates to a gas detector comprising a spectroscopic detector according to the invention.

Finally, the invention relates to a method of manufacturing a spectroscopic detector comprising the following steps in which:

a waveguide is produced on a substrate, the waveguide having an input face intended to be connected to an electromagnetic source, especially an infrared source, and a mirror on the opposite face, to create a standing wave within the waveguide;

- Means are taken to remove a portion of the electromagnetic wave between the input face and the mirror;

a plurality of suspended membrane bolometers delivering an electrical signal which is a function of the local intensity of the electromagnetic wave are produced simultaneously on said substrate, each membrane being spaced from the waveguide by anchor points on the substrate.

The invention will be better understood and other objects, advantages and characteristics thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows and which is made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a detector example according to the invention, used as a gas detector,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a matrix of spectroscopic detectors according to the invention, using bolometers,

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an exemplary bolometer, as used in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view of an exemplary spectroscopic device according to the invention,

FIGS. 5a to 5h represent various device manufacturing steps illustrated in FIG.

FIG. 6 represents an alternative embodiment of FIG. 2.

Figure 1 shows an example of detector according to the invention.

This detector 1 comprises a waveguide 10 whose input face 100 is connected to an electromagnetic source 2. It is in particular an infrared source which can be a thermal source, an LED source (Light Emitting Diode in the English terminology or OLED (Infrared English LED) or a laser source that can be tunable in wavelength, performed using quantum cascade laser technology (or in the English terminology, QCL, Quantum Cascade Laser ) adapted to wavelengths in the infrared.

On the face 101 of the waveguide, opposite to the input face 100, a mirror 11 is provided.

Thus, in operation, a standing wave is created within the waveguide by Lippmann effect.

Near the inlet face 100, the guide 10 comprises a thinned area 12 which is connected to the remainder of the waveguide by a filter 13. The detector 1 also comprises six thermal detectors 14, arranged under the waveguide, being spaced therefrom.

The distance between the waveguide and the thermal detectors is of the order of the wavelength λ of the standing wave or greater than λ. It is typically between about 2 and 20 pm.

In the illustrated example, these six detectors are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to the direction in which the waveguide extends.

Of course, the number of detectors is mentioned here simply as an illustration. In practice, it will be much more important.

On the face of the waveguide facing the detectors 14 and extending along the length of the waveguide, there are provided means for sampling a part of the stationary electromagnetic wave present in the waveguide. These sampling means are symbolized by points 15 in FIG.

These sampling means are arranged to be substantially opposite a detector 14.

They may consist of breaks in continuity (holes or excrescences) made on the surface of the waveguide or else in diffusing studs made of a material of index different from the medium surrounding the detector, that is to say the empty, for example, or index lower than the guide or the heart of the guide if it has a coating.

These discontinuities of continuity or these diffusing studs make it possible to deconfinate a part of the wave and to make it leave the guide.

The spectroscopic detector 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is intended to be used for gas detection.

Thus, the thinned zone 12 of the waveguide will be an interaction zone between the electromagnetic wave coming from the source, typically an infrared flux, with the gas. Thanks to this thinned part, the electromagnetic field of the wave is not only guided in the guide but propagates partly outside of it. The field then interacts with the neighbor gas. This modifies the spectrum of the electromagnetic wave, the latter being then analyzed by means of the detectors 14.

Indeed, the detectors 14 are sensitive to the evanescent waves from the guide 10 and can thus sample the intensity of the evanescent waves. From the signals provided by the detectors 14, the spectrum of the electromagnetic wave flowing in the waveguide can be established.

The gas can then be detected by comparing the spectrum established by means of the detector 1 according to the invention and that of the electromagnetic wave coming from the source 2.

The invention is however not limited to this embodiment. The presence of the thinned zone in the guide is only one example of possible mode of interaction, when the detector according to the invention is used for gas detection.

The filter 13 makes it possible to select, in the whole spectrum emitted by the source 2, a spectral band of interest. It is not essential for the operation of the device 1.

It is understood that the pitch between the detectors as well as the length of the spectroscope, and therefore the number of detectors, are related to the characteristics of the spectrum that it is desired to reconstitute. In general, the smaller the pitch of the detectors, the larger the field of spectrum analysis without folding. In addition, the larger the length of the spectroscope, the higher the resolution.

Moreover, the operation of an interference spectroscope requires that the pitch between the detectors is at most equal to half the wavelength in the guide. By way of example, when the detector 1 is used to detect CO ₂ , whose absorption wavelength is around 4.2 μm, with a guide index of the order of 4, the pitch between detectors will be about 0.5 pm, while the length of the set of detectors will be about 150 pm to a few millimeters. This corresponds to a set of about three hundred detectors with a few thousand detectors. By way of example, the guide 10 may be made of a silicon-germanium alloy, comprising the same percentage of silicon and germanium, whose index is approximately 3.84 and comprising an Si coating, of which index is 3.42.

The dimensions of the guide will depend on the wavelength of the electromagnetic wave delivered by the source 2, as well as the gas to be detected.

Thus, when the device 1 is adapted to allow the detection of CO ₂ , the thickness of the guide will be about 0.6 μm, while its width will be about 1.5 μm.

More generally, the width of the waveguide will typically be between 0.5 and 5 pm and its thickness between 0.1 and 3 pm.

The mirror 11 may be made by a metal deposit, or by structuring the end of the waveguide, obtained by etching grooves thereon, to obtain a Bragg grating.

Similarly, the filter 13 can be obtained by bleeding etching, so as to obtain a Bragg type network structure.

The diffusing studs made on the guide may have the same width as the guide. Their length can be of a few microns and their thickness of a fraction of a micron. They can be made using the same material as the guide or the heart of the guide, when the latter comprises a coating, or silica, silicon nitride, or silicon or SiGe, depending on the range of length of the guide. wave used by the detector.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 which shows, according to a plan view and by way of example, four spectroscopic detectors according to the invention 1 a to 1 b.

These four detectors are arranged here substantially parallel and they are identical.

Thus, the thermal detectors 14a, 14b, 4c and 14d form a matrix which is preferably arranged inside a casing 3 placed under vacuum. Like the other spectroscopic detectors, the detector 1a is connected to a source 2a and, it comprises a waveguide with, in this example, a thinned portion 12a, a filter 13a and a mirror 11a located on the opposite side to its input face 100a, connected to the source 2a.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2, the spectroscopic detector 1 has four thermal detectors 14a arranged at a distance from the waveguide 10a.

The detectors 14a are uncooled thermal infrared detectors and, more precisely, bolometric diaphragm detectors.

These bolometric detectors are used at room temperature. This avoids the provision of specific cooling means.

In general, these detectors comprise an element made of a sensitive material that can be heated by infrared radiation, characteristic of the temperature and the emissivity of the observed body.

The increase in temperature of the element causes a variation of an electrical property of the sensitive material: capacity variation by changing the dielectric constant or variation in the resistance of a semiconductor or metal material. As a variant, the sensitive material may have a PN diode structure, or even be a thermocouple.

The thermal detector can be encapsulated under vacuum or under a low heat-conducting gas to improve performance.

Furthermore, the performance of the thermal detector is increased if three conditions are met in the sensitive material: a low heat mass, a good insulation of the active layer vis-à-vis its support and a high sensitivity of the effect of heating conversion into electrical signal. These first two conditions imply that the sensitive material is in the form of a thin layer.

These bolometers are said to have a suspended membrane insofar as the sensitive material is disposed on a membrane spaced from the support substrate by anchor points. The membrane heats up under the effect of incident radiation, which modifies the properties of the sensitive material. The spacing between the membrane and the anchor points provides thermal insulation between the membrane and the substrate.

The detectors illustrated in FIG. 2 are bolometric detectors of the resistive type. In these detectors, the incident radiation absorbed by the detector causes an increase in the temperature which induces a variation of the electrical resistance of a resistive material. These resistance variations generate voltage or current variations across the detector, these variations constituting the signal delivered by the detector.

A bolometric detector of the resistive type is illustrated, in perspective and in a simplified manner, in FIG. 3. Reference is also made to document FR-2,885,690 which describes such a detector.

It has a thin membrane 40 for absorbing incident infrared radiation and converting it to heat. It is attached to a support substrate 41 via anchor points 42 which conduct electricity. It is thus suspended above this substrate. A layer 43 is deposited on the membrane 40 and acts as a thermometer. In operation, under the effect of infrared radiation, the membrane heats up and transmits its temperature to the layer 43.

The thin layer 43 may be a thermistor.

The membrane 40 and the layer 43 generally rest on an insulating support which provides the mechanical rigidity of the bolometric structure. It can also be encapsulated with one of these insulating materials, typically SiO ₂ , SiO or SiN.

Furthermore, the sensitivity of the detector 4 is improved by providing isolation arms 44 between the support substrate 41 and the membrane 40. These isolation arms 44 make it possible to limit the thermal losses of the membrane and, consequently, to preserve his warm up. The support substrate 41 may consist of an integrated electronic circuit on a silicon wafer comprising stimuli and reading devices of the thermometer.

The electrical interconnection between the thermometer 43 and the reading devices provided on the substrate is provided by a layer, generally metallic, disposed on the isolation arms 44.

By way of example, the membrane 43 may be polycrystalline or amorphous silicon, of p or n type, weakly or strongly resistive. It is also possible to envisage a vanadium oxide (V ₂ O _5, VO ₂ ) produced in a semiconducting phase.

The support substrate may be made of SiO ₂ , SiO, SiN, ZnS, by way of example.

The device illustrated in FIG. 2 can be designed so that the electronic circuits of all the detectors are made on the same silicon wafer. On the latter, the electronic multiplexing components can also be made.

This device makes it possible to carry out four gas analyzes in parallel and thus to simultaneously detect several types of gas, at different wavelengths, thanks to the filters 13a to 13d.

This makes it possible to increase the immunity to the interfering gases, and thus to increase the performance of the measurement.

Finally, each of the sources 2a to 2d associated with each of the detectors 1a to 1d may each have a particular spectral range. This allows the detector to highlight the presence of a particular spectral line.

In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the detectors 1 'to 1' are manufactured in such a way that they are offset in position relative to the mirrors 11a to 11d.

Thus, the distance between the mirror 1 1 'b and the input face 100'b is greater than the distance between the mirror 1 1' a and the input face 100'a and less than the distance between the mirror 1 1 'c and the input face 100'c. Finally, the latter is less than the distance between the mirror 1 1 'd and the face 100'd input. This spatial shift is illustrated by the two dashed lines of Figure 6.

This spatial shift of the mirrors, from one detector to another, induces a temporal shift which may be less than λ / 4, λ being the effective wavelength of the wave in the guide. This satisfies the sampling principle Shannon, while being able to accept a step between the detectors of the order of 10 λ, and therefore large detectors.

The spatial offset may for example be about 5 μm from one detector to another.

FIG. 4 illustrates a spectroscopic detector according to the invention, made from a single substrate.

On a substrate 7, will thus be formed a waveguide 70 and thermal detectors, and their read circuit.

By way of example, the substrate 7 is made of silicon and on it, a layer of silica and / or silicon nitride 71 and a layer of silicon from which the guide 70 will be obtained by conventional techniques have been deposited. . In general, the index n1 of the layer 71 is smaller than the index n2 of the constituent material of the waveguide. Figure 4 does not illustrate a layer forming the coating of the waveguide.

Alternatively, the layer 71 can be completely removed in certain areas, by a photolithography and etching step. Due to the existence of these areas around and under the guide, it is partially released, which allows to reduce losses.

The guide 70 is intended to be connected, by its input face 700, to an electromagnetic source, symbolized by an arrow in FIG. 4.

Furthermore, the waveguide has, on its face opposite the face 700, a mirror 701.

Finally, diffusing studs 702 to 705 are formed on the waveguide, on its face extending along its length and opposite to the layer 71. On the same substrate, thermal detectors are made, here bolometers, which are four in number. These bolometers 72 to 75 are here all identical.

For example, the bolometer 72 comprises a membrane 720 which is fixed to the substrate 7 via anchor points 721. This membrane 720 supports a thin layer, acting as a thermometer, on its face opposite the waveguide 70.

Each bolometer is elaborated on an organic layer which is removed after the formation of the anchor points and the membrane, by means of a plasma etching process.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, each membrane 720 to 750 of a detector is located opposite a diffractive pad 702 to 705.

It is therefore understood that, in this structure, the electromagnetic wave coming from the waveguide arrives on the membranes of each detector, on the opposite side to the thin layer supported by this membrane.

Finally, on the substrate 7 could be made several waveguides and several series of thermal detectors.

The reference 8 designates a cover that can be assembled on the substrate 7.

The connection between the substrate and the cover can be achieved by means of various appropriate techniques so as firstly to ensure sealing and secondly, to determine the spacing between the substrate and the cover.

In general, these techniques are subject to several constraints. It should first of all that the seal is provided for a long enough, for example 15 years. In addition, these techniques must not lead to altering the initial characteristics of the bolometers provided on the substrate 7.

Anodic sealing may be mentioned, which uses borosilicate glass, strongly doped with sodium or potassium. Under the combined effect of a high electric field and a temperature between 300 and 500 ° C, the ions migrate to the anode and the cathode where they are trapped. The ions thus accumulated create an important internal electric field which ensures the adhesion of the materials in the presence.

Another fusion sealing technique can also be implemented with low melting glasses.

These glasses may be previously deposited in thin layer by sputtering. In particular, lead borates, and especially eutectics consisting of a high concentration of lead oxide and additions of B ₂ 0 ₂ , ZnO ₂ , SiO ₂ , Al ₂ O _3, may be mentioned. All of these glasses have a melting temperature greater than 415 ° C but allow sealing at temperatures lower than that required to ensure the melting of a borosilicate glass, which is about 800 ° C.

The assembly can also be achieved by means of organic adhesives in the form of polymers or epoxides.

Sealing is carried out at low temperature, typically below 200 ° C, which is well suited to detectors according to the invention because of the presence of bolometers.

Finally, the assembly can be obtained by a eutectic sealing technique.

As an alternative to this direct seal, solder can be achieved by the provision of a metal alloy whose melting temperature is compatible with the device. This alloy can be for example AuSn, InPb, SnPb.

This assembly will ensure the vacuum of the cavity defined by the substrate 7 and the cover 8.

Indeed, inside the cavity formed between the substrate and the assembled cover, the vacuum is obtained at the time of assembly, using a vacuum sealing equipment. The vacuum must also be maintained to ensure the proper functioning of the thermal detectors. This vacuum can for example be obtained through the introduction of material films absorbing gases (getter in English terminology). In particular, mention may be made of materials of the NEG (Non Evaporable Getter) type. By way of example, the material sold under the name St122 by SAES can be used. It has the advantage of having a relatively low activation temperature (300-500 ° C).

It is understood that in this embodiment, no reflector is associated with the bolometer, which can lead to a limitation of the performance of the detector.

It is also possible to provide a reflective layer on the face 80 of the cover 8 opposite the substrate 7. This reflective layer makes it possible to increase the performance of the detector.

A method for producing a spectroscopic detector according to the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 5a to 5h, which represent a few steps.

Figures 5a to 5g are views in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the guide 70 extends.

This detector is of the type shown in FIG. 4, the cover 8 being replaced by a plurality of individual covers, each intended for a given detector.

Figure 5a shows a first step of the process.

On the substrate 7, was first deposited a layer 71, then another layer from which the waveguide 70 and another waveguide 76 will be obtained.

For example, the substrate 7 is silicon, the layer 71 may be silica, SiO or SiN and the guides 70 and 76 can be obtained from a SiGe layer.

On the substrate 7, is first realized the electronic reading and addressing circuit for bolometers.

The waveguides 70 and 76 are obtained by conventional lithographic techniques. FIG. 5a shows that, in this example, the layer 71 has been removed in the zone 710, thanks to a step of photolithography and etching.

Thus, at this area 710, the guide 70 is partially released, which allows to reduce losses.

A means 702 for taking the electromagnetic wave is produced on the guide 70, by a conventional method of microtechnology, such as chemical etching or plasma, or a so-called "lift-off" method, according to English terminology. By cons, no similar means is achieved on the guide 76 which remains optically inactive.

The step illustrated in FIG. 5b consists in depositing a sacrificial layer 77 on the waveguides 70 and 76.

This sacrificial layer may in particular be made of polyimide. Its thickness can be between 1 and 10 μιη.

Figure 5c illustrates another step of making the anchor points of future bolometers.

In a first step, the sacrificial layer 77 is etched, for example by implementing a plasma etching process. The anchoring points 78 are then made by electrolysis, by sputtering or by thermal decomposition (low pressure chemical vapor deposition or LPCVD in the English terminology) or plasma (plasma-enhanced vapor deposition or PECVD in the English terminology).

These anchoring points may be aluminum, copper or tungsten, for example.

The elements making it possible to connect the bolometers to the electronic circuit associated with them are then made.

FIG. 5d illustrates a process step in which the membranes of each detector and the thin film which they support are produced, on their face opposite the substrate 7. Thus, on the sacrificial layer 77, are deposited successively the various layers constituting the bolometric structure.

Thus, is first deposited a layer of insulating material, such as Si ₂ O, SiN or ZnS.

On this insulating layer is then deposited a film for absorbing incident infrared radiation and converting it to heat.

This film is typically made of metal and has a thickness of between 5 and 10 nm.

Finally, is deposited on this film a layer of a thermometric material, such as an amorphous or polycrystalline chemical or semiconductor material. It is typically Si, Ge, SiC, α-Si: H, α-SiC: H or α-SiGe: H.

The thickness of the thermometric material layer is typically between 50 and 500 nm.

The layers of absorbent material and thermometric material are obtained using low temperature deposition techniques, usually used for these materials. In particular, mention may be made of sputtering techniques, thermal decomposition (LPCVD, in English terminology) or plasma (PECVD, in English terminology).

The possible doping of these layers is achieved by introducing a doping gas, such as BF3 or PH3 into the reactor or by ion implantation.

After the deposition of these three layers, an etching step is carried out so as to form individualized membranes and supported by the anchoring points 78.

The etching of these layers is generally performed by plasma-assisted etching methods.

FIG. 5d thus illustrates a membrane 79 forming, with the pillars 78, a bolometer 72 above the guide 70. On the right side of Figure 5d, above the guide 76, is formed another bolometer 72R which will be used as a reference bolometer.

It can be noted that with other technologies, the bolometers can be made directly on the substrate, without requiring the deposit of a sacrificial layer on the waveguide.

During the operation of the spectroscopic detector that will be obtained, the reference bolometers will overcome the common modes of operation, thanks to differential mounting, and temperature fluctuations of the substrate. They therefore make it possible to increase the sensitivity of the measurement made by the detector. Their presence and number depend on the desired performance.

With reference to FIG. 5e, the following step consists in depositing a second sacrificial layer 90 on the bolometers previously made.

Preferably, the thickness of this layer 90 corresponds substantially to a quarter of the wavelength of the light transported in the guide 70. This makes it possible to produce an optical cavity above the guide which concentrates the electromagnetic field on the bolometric detector. and thus increases the coupling between the guide and the detector. An etching step is then performed, whereby the bolometers are separated from one another. Thus, free spaces 91 are formed between two adjacent bolometers.

FIG. 5f illustrates the deposition steps of two successive layers on the sacrificial layer 90.

The first deposited layer 92 is a metal layer and constitutes the reflector of the bolometer 72 present above the guide 70 and the reference bolometer 72R.

The second layer 93 is provided to ensure the thermal stability and / or passivation of the reflector. This layer can be omitted.

The layer 92 may especially be made of Ti, TiN, Pt, Al, Pd, Ni or NiCr. This layer 92 may in particular be deposited by cathodic sputtering or by thermal decomposition (LPCVD) or plasma (PECVD). Its thickness is typically between 0.005 μm and 1 μm.

The layers 92 and 93 can be used to carry out the vacuum encapsulation of each of the bolometers. They then completely surround each bolometer and these layers will be sealed.

It is then necessary to remove the sacrificial layers 77 and 90 to release the bolometers.

Thus, a vent 94 is made through layers 92 and 93.

This vent is obtained by depositing a sacrificial layer on the assembly of the structure illustrated in FIG. 5f and etching it by plasma.

The sacrificial layers 77 and 90 can then be removed, also using a radiofrequency or microwave plasma etching technique.

FIG. 5g illustrates the last step of the production method according to the invention which consists in depositing at least one layer 95, so as to encapsulate under vacuum and individually each of the bolometers made on the substrate 7.

FIG. 5h is a view of the device illustrated in FIG. 5g but in a plane parallel to the direction in which the waveguide 70 extends.

It shows that the layer 92 can be in direct contact with the layer 71 or in contact with the waveguide.

Thus, in the spectroscopic detector obtained from the method which has just been described, each bolometer is individually put under vacuum. Each waterproof housing 96 formed around a bolometer has a reflector in its upper part.

The detectors obtained have many advantages.

First of all, as for the detector illustrated in FIG. 4, all of the waveguides and bolometers can be made on the same substrate. This greatly simplifies its manufacture. Moreover, each bolometer is associated with a reflector, which increases the sensitivity of the device.

Finally, the performance of the detector is not affected by the arrow that can occur, because of the evacuation of the housings.

Indeed, this arrow is relatively small because of the small size of the housings. Moreover, it is substantially the same for all bolometers and the quality of the measurement is therefore not affected.

The reference signs inserted after the technical characteristics appearing in the claims are only intended to facilitate understanding of the latter and can not limit its scope.

Claims

1. A method of manufacturing a spectroscopic detector comprising the following steps wherein:

a waveguide (10, 70) is produced on a substrate (7), the waveguide having an input face (100, 700) intended to be connected to an electromagnetic source, especially an infrared source, and a mirror (101, 701) on the opposite side, to create a standing wave within the waveguide;

- The sampling means (15, 702 to 705) of a portion of the electromagnetic wave between the input face and the mirror;

a plurality of suspended diaphragm bolometers (14, 72 to 75) are provided on said substrate (7) intended to deliver an electrical signal which is a function of the local intensity of the electromagnetic wave, each membrane being spaced from the guide of wave by anchor points (42) on the substrate (7).

A spectroscopic detector comprising:

at least one waveguide (10, 70) disposed on a substrate (7) and having an input face (100, 700) intended to be connected to an electromagnetic source, especially an infrared source, and a mirror (101, 701 ) on the opposite side, to create a standing wave within the waveguide, and

means for detecting electromagnetic radiation, delivering an electrical signal which is a function of the local intensity of the electromagnetic wave,

characterized in that said detection means are suspended membrane bolometers (14, 72 to 75) distributed between the input face and the mirror, each membrane of said thermal detectors being spaced from said at least one waveguide by anchoring points (42) on said substrate (7), and in that sampling means (15, 702 to 705) of a portion of the electromagnetic wave are provided between the input face and the mirror.

3. Detector according to claim 2, characterized in that said sampling means are formed on the surface of the waveguide.

4. Detector according to claim 3, characterized in that said sampling means are constituted by pads arranged on the surface of the waveguide and made of a material of index different from that of the surrounding medium or the waveguide .

5. Detector according to claim 3, characterized in that said sampling means are discontinuity of continuity formed on the surface of the waveguide.

6. Detector according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that it also comprises a cover to allow the evacuation of the bolometers.

7. Detector according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover (8) is common to all bolometers (72 to 75).

8. Detector according to claim 6, characterized in that the cover consists of a plurality of individual covers (96), each for a bolometer.

9. Detector according to claim 8, characterized in that each individual cap (96) comprises a reflector for the bolometer it covers.

10. spectroscopic detector comprising a plurality of detectors according to one of claims 2 to 9, arranged to form a matrix.

1 1. Gas detector comprising a spectroscopic detector according to one of Claims 2 to 10.