JP2011058929A - Infrared sensor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To accurately perform temperature correction of an output of an infrared sensor by arranging a heat-sensitive surface of a heat-sensitive element on the same surface as a light receiving surface of the infrared sensor. <P>SOLUTION: The infrared sensor includes: a plurality of sensor electrode terminals 12a to 12d arranged in the peripheral part in a mold resin 11; a sensor element 13 arranged in a region surrounded by the sensor electrode terminals 12a to 12d; and a heat-sensitive element 14 for temperature correction arranged near the sensor element 13 in the region and provided integrally with the sensor element 13 by the mold resin 11; wherein the light receiving surface 13a of the sensor element 13 and the heat-sensitive surface 14a of the heat-sensitive element 14 are arranged on the same surface. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an infrared sensor, and more specifically, an infrared sensor configured to accurately perform temperature correction of an output of an infrared sensor by disposing a thermal surface of a thermal element substantially on the same surface as a light receiving surface of the infrared sensor, In particular, it relates to a temperature correction technique for a quantum infrared sensor.

  In general, infrared sensors are used for various purposes such as detecting the surface temperature of an object in a non-contact manner, detecting the presence of the object, and measuring the gas concentration in the atmosphere. As this kind of conventional infrared sensor, a thermal type infrared sensor and a quantum type infrared sensor are roughly classified.

  The thermal infrared sensor detects the electrical properties that are received by infrared rays and heated by the heat and changes as the temperature of the sensor element increases. The sensitivity and response speed are low, but the wavelength band is wide. It can be used at room temperature. There are a thermopile based on the thermoelectromotive force effect, a PZT of a pyroelectric sensor, a thermistor that changes electric resistance due to a temperature change, a bolometer, and the like. In addition, quantum infrared sensors detect electrical phenomena caused by light energy, have high detection sensitivity, excellent response speed, and higher detection capability than thermal infrared sensors, but cool because the operating temperature is low. There is a need. There are photodiodes, phototransistors, photo ICs, and the like.

  Such an infrared sensor outputs the difference between the received infrared energy and the infrared energy depending on the temperature of the infrared sensor itself. To measure the amount of received infrared light, the temperature of the infrared sensor is monitored and temperature correction is performed. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a thermal element in the vicinity of the sensor element constituting the infrared sensor.

  For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are examples in which the temperature of the output of the infrared sensor is corrected. The thing of this patent document 1 is related with the infrared sensor which minimizes the error of the temperature measurement by detecting the secondary radiation from a case, etc., and is hard to be influenced by a disturbance, A thermopile element is formed in the component mounting surface of a stem. The chip-type thermistor is mounted in the vicinity of the recess, and further provided with an inner cap that is thermally connected to the stem so as to cover the thermopile element and the thermistor. That is, the sensor element of the infrared sensor and the thermal element are covered with the inner case in the package case so that the thermal element can accurately monitor the temperature.

  Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-228688 mounts a temperature-compensating thermal element for accurately detecting the temperature of the cold junction on the sensor chip substrate constituting the infrared sensor. That is, a heat sink is provided on the cold junction side which is a reference when using a thermopile element, and a heat sensitive element is embedded therein.

  Patent Document 3 discloses an infrared sensor that converts infrared energy radiated from a target object into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal. The infrared sensor includes a quantum infrared detection element, and the infrared energy is converted into the infrared energy. A light receiving portion for converting into an electrical signal, and a correction portion for correcting an output signal from the light receiving portion, wherein the light receiving portion and the correction portion are formed of the same material on the same substrate, And it has the same structure so that the said infrared rays may enter similarly.

JP 2003-344156 A JP 2006-105651 A International Publication No. 2007/125873 Pamphlet

  However, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 cover the sensor element and the heat-sensitive element, and seal the case provided with a window material for selectively transmitting infrared rays by welding to the stem. It is configured. Therefore, when the ambient temperature changes suddenly, a transient temperature difference occurs between the sensor element that constitutes the infrared sensor and the thermal element provided for temperature correction, and the temperature correction of the output of the infrared sensor is thereby accurately performed. The problem of being unable to do so remained.

  The thing of patent document 3 provides the thermal element on the same board | substrate, Comprising: The thermal sensor uses the element of the same structure as an infrared rays detection element. Therefore, there are restrictions on the electrical characteristics of the thermal element, and there are restrictions on the signal processing circuit and the correction method for temperature correction.

  Therefore, the infrared sensor of the present invention is provided with a heat sensitive element integrally in the same structure as the sensor element, so that heat radiation (radiation) from the surface of the package, the outside, or heat radiation from the heat sensitive element itself. Even if there is a temperature disturbance such as a temperature distribution or the temperature distribution at the location where the sensor element is installed, the temperature distribution of the infrared sensor output is made transient by making the temperature distribution of the sensor element and the thermal element uniform even in the transient state. In addition to being able to carry out with high accuracy, the degree of freedom in selecting the thermal element is improved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems. The object of the present invention is to correct the temperature of the output of the infrared sensor by disposing the thermal surface of the thermal element substantially on the same surface as the light receiving surface of the infrared sensor. An object of the present invention is to provide an infrared sensor capable of accurately performing the above.

  The present invention has been made to achieve such an object, and the invention according to claim 1 includes a plurality of sensor electrode terminals arranged in the periphery of the mold resin and the sensor electrode terminals. A sensor element disposed within the region, and a temperature-correcting thermal element disposed in the region in the vicinity of the sensor element and integrally provided with the sensor element and the mold resin. It is characterized by.

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that, in the invention described in claim 1, the light receiving surface of the sensor element and the heat sensitive surface of the heat sensitive element are arranged on the same plane.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the thermal element is mounted on a holding member disposed in the region, and the non-mounting surface of the holding member is the sensor. It is characterized by being flush with the light receiving surface of the element.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the thermal element is mounted on an extension portion of the sensor electrode terminal extending in the region, and the non-extension portion is not mounted. The mounting surface is the same surface as the light receiving surface of the sensor element.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, an optical filter is provided on the light receiving surface of the sensor element.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sensor element is a quantum sensor element.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to claim 6, wherein the quantum sensor element has a sensor element portion, and the sensor element portion is a first contact layer provided on a substrate. An absorption layer provided on the first contact layer, a barrier layer provided on the absorption layer, a second contact layer provided on the barrier layer, and the second contact layer A second electrode provided thereon; a first contact layer; an absorption layer; a barrier layer; a passivation layer provided adjacent to the second contact layer; and the passivation layer through the passivation layer. And a first electrode provided on the substrate.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first contact layer is made of n-type InSb, the absorbing layer is made of π-type InSb, and the barrier layer is made of p-type. The second contact layer is made of p-type InSb.

  According to the present invention, since the heat-sensitive element for temperature correction is provided integrally in the vicinity of the same structure as the sensor element constituting the infrared sensor, heat radiation (radiation) from the surface of the package, the outside, Even if there is a temperature disturbance such as thermal radiation from the element itself, or if there is a temperature distribution at the location where the sensor element is installed, the temperature distribution of the sensor element and the thermal element is made uniform even in the transient state, and the output of the infrared sensor There is an effect that the temperature correction can be accurately performed even in a transient manner.

It is a block diagram for demonstrating Example 1 of the infrared sensor which concerns on this invention. (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 1, (b) is the sectional view on the BB line of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating Example 2 of the infrared sensor which concerns on this invention. (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 3, (b) is the sectional view on the BB line of FIG. It is a block diagram for demonstrating Example 3 of the infrared sensor which concerns on this invention. (A) is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 5, (b) is the sectional view on the BB line of FIG. It is a specific block diagram of the quantum type sensor element of the infrared sensor which concerns on this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram for explaining an infrared sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 1, and FIG. It is a BB sectional view. In the figure, reference numeral 11 is a mold resin, 12a to 12d are sensor electrode terminals (lead frames), 13 is a sensor element, 13a is a light receiving surface, 14 is a thermal element, and 14a is a thermal surface. Reference numeral 15 denotes wire bonding for electrically connecting the sensor element 13 and the sensor electrode terminals 12a to 12d.

  The infrared sensor of the first embodiment includes a plurality of sensor electrode terminals 12a to 12d arranged around the mold resin 11, and a sensor element 13 arranged in a region surrounded by the sensor electrode terminals 12a to 12d. The sensor element 13 is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor element 13 and is composed of a sensor element 13 and a thermosensitive element 14 for temperature correction provided integrally with the mold resin 11.

  And the light-receiving surface 13a of the sensor element 13 and the heat-sensitive surface 14a of the heat-sensitive element 14 are arrange | positioned so that it may become the same surface. Further, an optical filter (not shown) may be provided on the light receiving surface 13a of the sensor element 13 as necessary. Furthermore, the sensor element 13 is preferably a quantum sensor element. This quantum sensor element will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The thermosensitive element is not particularly limited as long as it can detect heat as resistance, voltage, or the like, such as a thermistor, a thermocouple, or a platinum resistor. The shape is preferable because a chip-like object can be provided close to the sensor element with the same structure. The heat sensitive part may be a thin film on the surface of the chip or the entire chip.

  3 is a block diagram for explaining an infrared sensor according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 (b) is a diagram of FIG. It is a BB sectional view. In the figure, reference numeral 21 is a mold resin, 22a to 22d are sensor electrode terminals (lead frames), 23 is a sensor element, 23a is a light receiving surface, 24 is a heat sensitive element, and 26 is a holding member. Reference numeral 25 denotes wire bonding for electrically connecting the sensor element 23 and the sensor electrode terminals 22a to 22d.

  When the thermal element is small, there is a concern that the thermal element may be peeled off in the die bonding process or the wire bonding process. In that case, it is necessary to attach a heat sensitive element to the holding member for improving holding property.

  The infrared sensor according to the second embodiment includes a plurality of sensor electrode terminals 22a to 22d arranged in the periphery of the mold resin 21, and a sensor element 23 arranged in a region surrounded by the sensor electrode terminals 22a to 22d. The temperature-correcting thermal element 24 that is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor element 23 and in the region and is provided integrally with the sensor element 23 and the mold resin 21, and a holding member 26 that holds the thermal element 24. It is configured.

  The thermal element 24 is mounted on a holding member 26 disposed in the region, and the non-mounting surface of the holding member 26 is disposed so as to be flush with the light receiving surface of the sensor element 23. Further, the holding member 26 is preferably a silicon substrate in view of processability, temperature conductivity, infrared transmittance, and the like. Further, a ceramic substrate or the like may be used because of workability, strength, and thermal conductivity. Further, an optical filter (not shown) may be provided on the light receiving surface 23a of the sensor element 23 as necessary. Furthermore, the sensor element 23 is preferably a quantum sensor element. This quantum sensor element will be described later with reference to FIG. The heat sensitive element is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  5A and 5B are configuration diagrams for explaining an infrared sensor according to a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, and FIG. It is a BB sectional view. In the figure, reference numeral 31 is a mold resin, 32a to 32d are sensor electrode terminals (lead frames), 32R is an extension, 33 is a sensor element, 33a is a light receiving surface, and 34 is a thermal element. Reference numeral 35 denotes wire bonding for electrically connecting the sensor element 23 and the sensor electrode terminals 22a to 22d.

  Similar to Example 2 described above, when a holding member is used to enhance the holding performance of the thermal element, if the lead frame is used as the holding member, there is no need to prepare a holding member separately, and the heat conduction is performed with a simple structure. A highly structured structure can be obtained.

  The infrared sensor of the third embodiment is arranged in the periphery of the mold resin 31, and has a plurality of sensor electrode terminals 32a to 32d each having an extension 32R, and an area surrounded by the sensor electrode terminals 32a to 32d. The sensor element 33 is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor element 33 and in the region, and the sensor element 33 and the thermosensitive element 34 for temperature correction provided integrally with the mold resin 31 are configured. .

  The thermal element 34 is mounted on the extension 32R of the sensor electrode terminals 32a to 32d extending in the region, and the non-mounting surface of the extension 32R is the same as the light receiving surface of the sensor element 33. Are arranged as follows. The heat sensitive element is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  Further, an optical filter (not shown) may be provided on the light receiving surface 33a of the sensor element 33 as necessary. Furthermore, the sensor element 33 is preferably a quantum sensor element. This quantum sensor element will be described later with reference to FIG.

Next, the quantum type sensor element used as the sensor element of the infrared sensor of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 7 is a specific configuration diagram of a quantum sensor element used in each embodiment of the infrared sensor according to the present invention, and reference numeral 103a denotes a sensor element portion. The quantum sensor element 103 includes a sensor element portion 103a. The sensor element portion 103a includes a first contact layer 106 provided on the substrate 105 and an absorption layer provided on the first contact layer 106. 107, a barrier layer 108 provided on the absorption layer 107, a second contact layer 109 provided on the barrier layer 108, and a second element provided on the second contact layer 109 A partial electrode 111b, a first contact layer 106, an absorption layer 107, a barrier layer 108, a passivation layer 110 provided adjacent to the second contact layer 109, and a substrate 105 provided via the passivation layer 110. The first element portion electrode 111a is provided.

  That is, the entire sensor element portion 103a excluding the light receiving surface is covered with the mold resin 101, and sensor electrode terminals 102a and 102b for taking out sensor signals are provided on both sides of the sensor element portion 103a. Further, the pad electrodes 104a and 104b connected to the first element part electrode 111a and the second element part electrode 111b constituting the sensor element part 103a and formed on the substrate 105 are connected to the sensor electrode terminal 102a by wire bonding 115. , 102b.

  Further, the sensor element unit 103a will be described in more detail. For example, an n-type InSb contact layer 106, a π-type InSb absorption layer 107, a p-type AlInSb barrier layer 108, and a p-type InSb contact layer 109 are formed on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate 105, and the n-type InSb contact layer 109 is formed. The InSb contact layer 106 is electrically connected to one pad electrode 104a by the element part electrode 111a, and the p-type InSb contact layer 109 is electrically connected to the other pad electrode 104b by the second element part electrode 111b. Connected.

  The material of the semiconductor thin film that constitutes the sensor element portion 103a is not limited to the above-described example. In addition, the sensor element unit is not limited to the example configured with the above-described one set 103a, and the same may be applied even when a plurality of sets are connected in series or in parallel on the substrate. A passivation film 110 such as SiN is formed at a predetermined position so that the element part electrodes 111a and 111b do not contact the semiconductor layer. Further, a protective film 112 is formed on the back surface of the semi-insulating GaAs substrate 105. The protective film 112 is provided for preventing reflection of incident infrared rays and protecting the sensor unit, and a material that transmits as much infrared rays as possible of a wavelength to be measured is preferably selected. For example, silicon oxide or silicon nitride is preferably used.

  Thus, by using a quantum sensor element as the sensor element, it becomes extremely easy to arrange the light receiving surface of the sensor element and the heat sensitive surface of the heat sensitive element on substantially the same plane. Therefore, even if there is a temperature disturbance in the package surface, external heat radiation (radiation), heat radiation from the thermal element itself, or temperature distribution at the location where the sensor element is installed, the temperature distribution of the sensor element and thermal element The temperature of the output of the infrared sensor can be corrected with high accuracy even in a transient manner.

11, 21, 31 Mold resin 12a to 12d, 22a to 22d, 32a to 32d Sensor electrode terminal (lead frame)
13, 23, 33 Sensor element 13a, 23a, 33a Light receiving surface 14, 24, 34 Heat sensitive element 14a Heat sensitive surface 15, 25, 35 Wire bonding 26 Holding member 32R Extension part 101 Mold resin 102a, 102b Sensor electrode terminals 103a, 103b Sensor Element part 104a, 104b Pad electrode 105 Semi-insulating GaAs substrate 106 First n-type InSb contact layer 107 π-type InSb absorption layer 108 p-type AlInSb barrier layer 109 Second p-type InSb contact layer 110 Passivation layer 111a 1st element part electrode 111b 2nd element part electrode 112 Protective film 115 Wire bonding

Claims (8)

A plurality of sensor electrode terminals arranged around the mold resin;
A sensor element disposed in a region surrounded by the sensor electrode terminals;
An infrared sensor comprising: a thermosensitive element for temperature correction that is disposed in the vicinity of the sensor element and in the region, and is provided integrally with the mold resin.   2. The infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein the light receiving surface of the sensor element and the heat sensitive surface of the heat sensitive element are arranged on the same plane.   2. The heat sensitive element is mounted on a holding member disposed in the region, and a non-mounting surface of the holding member is flush with a light receiving surface of the sensor element. Infrared sensor.   The thermosensitive element is mounted on an extension part of the sensor electrode terminal extending in the region, and a non-mounting surface of the extension part is flush with a light receiving surface of the sensor element. The infrared sensor according to claim 1.   The infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein an optical filter is provided on a light receiving surface of the sensor element.   The infrared sensor according to claim 1, wherein the sensor element is a quantum sensor element. The quantum sensor element has a sensor element part, and the sensor element part is
A first contact layer provided on the substrate; an absorption layer provided on the first contact layer; a barrier layer provided on the absorption layer; and a second layer provided on the barrier layer. A contact layer, a second electrode provided on the second contact layer, the first contact layer, the absorption layer, the barrier layer, and the second contact layer. The infrared sensor according to claim 6, further comprising a passivation layer and a first electrode provided on the substrate via the passivation layer.   The first contact layer is made of n-type InSb, the absorption layer is made of π-type InSb, the barrier layer is made of p-type AlInSb, and the second contact layer is made of p-type InSb. The infrared sensor according to claim 7.

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