X-ray/UV single photon detectors with isotropic Seebeck sensors

A novel hot-electron microbolometer concept suitable for hyperspectral imaging at high photon counting rates is described. When each photon is absorbed, its energy is thermalized and homogenized within the normal-metal absorber to provide a highly reproducible temperature gradient across a thin film thermoelectric sensor which separates the absorber from a heat sink. The classical Seebeck effect results in an observable signal voltage, proportional to the time-dependent temperature gradient, without any externally applied bias current or voltage. Highly preliminary results on a single pixel device are presented and the projected performance of the fully developed device is analyzed, emphasizing the spectral resolution, noise sources, and suitability for large arrays of detector pixels.