Using bias pulses to equalize the signals in microbolometer detector arrays

This paper analyzes a method of equalizing the temperature-induced signal inhomogeneity in microbolometer detector arrays, based on variations of the measurement bias pulses. A method is proposed that uses supplementary variable preheating pulses applied to both the sensitive and the compensating bolometers. Our numerical modelling of this method, by comparison with the method that uses only variations of the measurement pulses, demonstrates a fourfold increase of the temperature interval in which the indicated signal inhomogeneity is insignificant, and this is adequate for the microbolometer detectors to be used in rooms with no additional signal-equalization measures. (c) 2008 Optical Society of America.