Sensor type

Microbolometer

Thermopile

Category

Passive (resistance)

Active (voltage generator)

Electrical sensitivity

(V∙W−1)

5 × 103 to 106

(after amplification)

6 to 120

(before amplification)

Specific detectivity (W−1∙cm∙Hz1/2)

108 to 109

106 to 108

NETD (mK)

<<230

(after amplification)

<400

(after amplification)

Response time (ms)

15 to 20

15 to 65

Source of noise

1/f and thermal

Thermal

Linear response

No

Yes

Need to input a bias circuit (before amplification)

Yes (Wheatstone bridge, current mirror, etc.)

No (Self generator)

Self-heating

Yes (bias current)

No

Need to regulate the focal plane starting from the Peltier module

Yes

No

Operation in a vacuum

Yes (duration not more than ten (10) years)

No

Imagery cost (k?

‘‘‘ (5 to 20)

‘