An analysis algorithm for thermal detectors of radiation

The response of a thermal detector to an input signal is characterized by an exponential approach to the steady-state level. Moreover, since this device is rather sensitive to external conditions, the measured signal is perturbed by noise and thermal drift. An algorithm, based on optimization techniques, is presented for determining the responsivity of the detector (calibration stage) or the input radiant power (actual measurement) from the measured data. Some examples on the algorithm performances are carried out in different experimental situations.