Inside a Infrared thermopile

Peel from the case to the element. Follow the readout through this conceptual model.

The full text version below describes every layer. All measurement explanations are available without 3D.

Case: can and IR windowThe MLX90614 integrates a thermopile detector and signal conditioning in a TO-39 can. [MLX90614: General description]

Drag to rotate; pinch to zoom. With the view focused: arrow keys rotate, + / − zoom, 1–3 choose a layer, Home resets rotation and zoom. Step advances to the next layer; Reset returns to the case and default view. Layer buttons select a view directly. The page does not move on its own.

Layer 1 of 3 / Outside

Case: can and IR window

The MLX90614 integrates a thermopile detector and signal conditioning in a TO-39 can. [MLX90614: General description]

Teaching view: The conceptual metal can has a dark IR filter and four leads. Fine package details and internal construction are illustrative.

The measurement to rememberThe MLX90614 estimates object temperature without contact from net infrared exchange; the object’s emissivity and how much of the field of view it fills affect the reading. [MLX90614: General description]

Full text version · every layer

1 · Case: metal can and infrared window

The MLX90614 contains a thermopile detector and electronics that amplify and process its signal inside a metal can. [MLX90614: General description]

Teaching view: The simplified metal can has a dark infrared filter and leads. Package details and internal construction are illustrative.

2 · Board / module: detector and readout

The detector voltage is amplified and converted into digital data. The electronics use that data and a separate measurement of the sensor’s own temperature to calculate object temperature. [MLX90614 §4.1: Functional description]

Teaching view: The detector chip and readout chip sit inside the same can and connect through internal wires. Their arrangement is simplified for teaching.

3 · Element: absorber and thermocouple junctions

Absorbed infrared radiation changes the temperature of thermocouple junctions on a thin membrane relative to junctions on the chip body. This temperature difference produces a small voltage. Connecting many thermocouples in series adds their voltages. The illustrated arrangement is simplified. (See MLX90614 §4.1.8, page 29.) [MLX90614: General description]

Teaching view: The conceptual dark absorber carries gold junction strips and connects by gold bond wires. Their count and layout are illustrative, not a documented MLX90614 cross-section.

Explode separates the conceptual layers; X-ray makes the case translucent. External package dimensions follow the model specification; internal teaching geometry is conceptual, not to scale, and is not manufacturer CAD or a wiring diagram.