Abstract:
The invention relates to a passive microbolometer (12), comprising a reflective screen (17) and a suspended membrane with the function of radiation absorber, thermometer and electrical connection. The membrane is supported by at least two anchor elements (15) fixed to a support substrate (16). The reflective screen (17) may be embodied by at least one layer (18) of metallic material with a thickness of the order of 500 Å to 2000 Å. The screen (17) is arranged beneath the membrane in electrical contact with the membrane absorber element (13) such as to reduce the area resistance of the unit made up of the screen (17) and the absorbing element (13) and to avoid the absorption of radiation by the latter.
Abstract:
Method and device for direct, non-contact temperature measure of a body. A laser beam is reflected from the surface of the body and detected along with the Planck radiation. The detected signal is analyzed using signal correlation technique to generate an output signal proportional to the Johnson noise introduced into the reflected laser beam as a direct measure of the absolute temperature of the body.
Abstract:
A thermopile detector means for a temperature measuring instrument physically and electrically configured to supply an output signal which indicates target temperature substantially independent of the influence of ambient temperature changes. The detector means includes a first thermopile device exposed to radiation from the target and a transducer means, preferably a second thermopile device, shielded from the target and connected in series opposition to the first.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for measuring the absorptivity of a radiation detector by making the detector an integral part of a cavity radiometer. By substituting the detector for the surface of the cavity upon which the radiation first impinges a comparison is made between the quantity of radiation incident upon the detector and the quantity reflected from the detector. The difference between the two is a measurement of the amount of radiation absorbed by the detector.
Abstract:
In a thermal imaging system and method of using the thermal imaging system, a piezoelectric actuator is disposed between a thermal sensor and a readout circuit. Total radiance in the scene is detected with the thermal sensor and background radiance in the scene is detected by movement of at least a portion of the piezoelectric actuator between the thermal sensor and the readout circuit. The detected background radiance is subtracted from the detected total radiance to provide a signal representing the actual radiance of an object in a scene.
Abstract:
Apparatus (110) for determining the quantity of an incident flux of electromagnetic radiation comprising first and second bodies (118, 120) having different coefficients of interaction with the incident radiation, means to monitor the temperatures of said bodies (118, 120), heating means associated with at least one of said bodies (118, 120), control means (114) responsive to the monitored temperatures to control said heating means so as to minimise temperature differences therebetween and to provide a signal representative of the power delivered to the heating means and computing means (114) responsive to said power signal to compute a value for the quantity of the flux of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the bodies (118, 120). Method of determining the quantity of an incident flux of electromagnetic radiation providing first and second bodies (118, 120) having different coefficients of interaction with the incident radiation, exposing said bodies to the incident flux of electromagnetic radiation, measuring their temperatures, heating the colder of said two bodies (118, 120) so as to minimise any temperature difference therebetween, measuring the quantity of power necessary to so heat the colder of said two bodies, and calculating a value for the quantity of the flux of electromagnetic radiation incident upon the bodies (118, 120) on the basis of said measured values.
Abstract:
PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an infrared image sensor and a signal reading method which can ensure sensitivity while sufficiently compensating for a self-heating amount.SOLUTION: An infrared image sensor which detects infrared rays comprises a light receiving unit 12 which has a pixel region in which a plurality of pixels are arrayed and at least one reference pixel, a differential circuit which acquires a first differential signal that is a differential signal between a signal of one pixel included in the pixel region and a signal of the reference pixel and a second differential signal that is a differential signal between signals of predetermined two pixels among the plurality of pixels included in the pixel region, and a pixel signal calculation unit which calculates signals of pixels on the basis of the first differential signal and the second differential signal.
Abstract:
A light guide tube (15) which guides an infrared radiation from a measured object, a first infrared sensor (10) which detects the infrared radiation from the light guide tube (15), a temperature sensor (12) which generates a reference temperature signal, a reference cavity (17) which shows a temperature status approximately the same as the temperature status of the light guide tube (15) and is closed so as to prevent the incidence of an external infrared radiation, a second infrared sensor (11) which detects an infrared radiation from the reference cavity (17), a temperature calculating means (13) which calculates the temperature of the object in accordance with the signals from the first infrared sensor (10), the second infrared radiation sensor (11) and the temperature sensor (12) and a display (14) which displays the temperature in accordance with a signal from the temperature calculating means (13) are provided. The diameter of at least one of the light guide tube (15) and the reference cavity (17) is gradually reduced from the side of the first and second infrared sensors (10 and 11) toward the light incidence opening of the light guide tube (15).
Abstract:
A system for locating inflamed plaque in an artery of a patient includes a catheter with an expander mounted at a catheter distal end. An infrared carrier, e.g., an optical fiber is mounted on the catheter with a carrier distal end attached to the expander. A sensor is connected to a carrier proximal end to measure infrared radiation transmitted through the carrier from the carrier distal end. In use, the expander is operable to selectively move the carrier distal end into contact with the arterial wall. Infrared radiation can then be measured to determine the temperature at the arterial wall. Temperatures at various locations can be taken, with elevated temperatures being indicative of inflamed plaque.