The simulation and characterization of a low-cost IR source are described. The IR emission is obtained from heated thin film resistors which are either self- suspended or deposited an a membrane, The simulation, performed with a finite difference method, shows that a reasonably good modulation can be obtained at 50 Hz and higher, Such specifications meet the requirements of various IR gas sensors such as photoacoustic sensors.
Berend Smit, Luc Patiny, Kevin Maik Jablonka