Bolometers
The first infrared (IR) sensor was a thermometer, demonstrated by Frederick William Herschel in 1800 [0].
In 1822 Thomas Johann Seebeck found that a circuit made from two dissimilar metals with junctions at different temperatures would deflect a compass magnet.[1].
In 1829 L.Nobili made the first thermocouple and improved electricalthermometer based on the thermoelectric effect discovered by Seebeck in 1826.[2].
A bolometer is a device for measuring the power of incident electromagnetic radiation via the heating of a material with a temperature-dependent electrical resistance. It was invented in 1878 by the American astronomer Samuel Pierpont Langley [3].
A microbolometer is a specific type of bolometer used as a detector in a thermal camera. Infrared radiation with wavelengths between 7.5–14 μm strikes the detector material, heating it, and thus changing its electrical resistance.
In 1822 Thomas Johann Seebeck found that a circuit made from two dissimilar metals with junctions at different temperatures would deflect a compass magnet.[1].
In 1829 L.Nobili made the first thermocouple and improved electricalthermometer based on the thermoelectric effect discovered by Seebeck in 1826.[2].
A bolometer is a device for measuring the power of incident electromagnetic radiation via the heating of a material with a temperature-dependent electrical resistance. It was invented in 1878 by the American astronomer Samuel Pierpont Langley [3].
A microbolometer is a specific type of bolometer used as a detector in a thermal camera. Infrared radiation with wavelengths between 7.5–14 μm strikes the detector material, heating it, and thus changing its electrical resistance.
History
date
inventor
invention
1822
Thomas Johann Seebeck
Seebeck effect in a thermopile made from iron and copper wires
1830
Leopoldo Nobili
Description of a thermo-multiplier or electric thermoscope
REFERENCES:
[0] Herschel W.; "Experiments on the refrangibility of the invisible rays of the Sun." Phil. Trans. Roy. Soc. London 90, pp. 284–292
, 
, 1800.
[1] Seebeck T. J.; "Magnetische Polarisation der Metalle undErze durch Temperatur−Differenz." Abh. Deutsch. Akad.Wiss. Berlin, pp. 265–373
, , 1822.
[2] Nobili L.; "Description d'un thermo-multiplicateur ou thermoscope électrique." Bibliothèque Universelle 44, pp. 225–234
, , 1830.
[3] Langley S. P.; "The Bolometer." Proceedings of The American Metrological Society. 2, pp. 184–190
, , 1880.