Infrared camera system

Abstract

An IR camera system includes an array of thermally-tunable optical filter pixels, an NIR source and an NIR detector array. The IR camera system further includes IR optics for directing IR radiation from a scene to be imaged onto the array of thermallytunable optical filter pixels and NIR optics for directing NIR light from the NIR source, to the filter pixels and to the NIR detector arrays. The NIR source directs NIR light onto the array of thermally-tunable optical filter pixels. The NIR detector array receives NIR light modified by the array of thermally-tunable optical filter pixels and for produces an electrical signal corresponding to the NIR light the NIR detector array receives.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates generally to thermal imagers. Background technique [0002] The market for infrared camera systems is large and rapidly growing, driven by military, security, medical, construction and automotive markets. Of particular interest are wavelengths between 7 and 15 microns, which have a high transmittance in the atmosphere, are less affected by sunlight, and are objects at normal ambient (room or body temperature) radiate at this wavelength. Several types of imaging systems are used to observe wavelengths other than visible light. These imaging systems range from arrays of narrow-bandgap semiconductor photodetectors, which typically require cryogenic cooling, to more recent arrays of uncooled microbolometers. However, all of these "focal plane" technologies are expensive (for example, the lowest-priced video camera has just broken the $10,000 barrier), making thermal imaging technology has yet to gain a dominant position in ...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

However, all of these "focal plane" technologies are expensive (for example, the lowest-priced video camera just broke the $10,000 barrier), making thermal imaging technology has yet to gain a dominant position in the commercial and consumer markets

Moreover, all existing products use inherently low-volume manufacturing techniques, driving up costs and limiting resolution (i.e., pixel count), which is a real problem for all uses except cost-insensitive other than use

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