Devices for absorbing infrared radiation comprising a quasi-crystalline element

This invention relates to the use of quasi-crystalline alloys for the absorption of infra-red radiation as well as devices for the absorption of infra-red radiation comprising an element made of a quasi-crystalline alloy. The invention relates to a device that absorbs infra-red radiation, which comprises as a coupler element for the infra-red radiation, an element made of a quasi-crystalline alloy, made up of one or more quasi-crystalline phases, the volume of which represents at least 40% by volume of the quasi-crystalline alloy, a quasi-crystalline phase being either a quasi-crystalline phase in the strict sense, or an approximating phase or an approximating compound. The invention is used in applications such as in a bolometer, infra-red filter, thermocouple, or hot plate.