ANTENNA-COUPLED THERMAL-RADIATION DETECTORS - REVIEW

The review describes design and operation of new detectors of millimet er, far-infrared, and infrared radiation, viz., antenna-coupled therma l radiation detectors. The parameters of the antennas used in these ba nds and the thermal characteristics of the detectors, namely, sensitiv ity, speed of response, noise-equivalent power, etc. are analyzed. The structure, manufacture, and parameters of available antenna-coupled m icrothermocouples, room-temperature and superconducting microbolometer s, including those made from high-temperature superconductors are desc ribed. The possible applications and improvements of antenna-coupled d etectors are discussed.