Abstract:
A cavity thermal detector assembly (10) is presented that allows both tunable narrowband and broadband operation. This allows for high light efficiency, low thermal time constant, and flexibility in designing the optical path. The thermal detector/filter layers are part of the top mirror or mirrors (12) of a Gires-Tournois-type optical cavity and provide absorption and reflection that can be adjusted to the desired width and position of the detected band. Tuning, if desired, can be achieved by applying micromechanical methods. Broadband operation may be achieved by bringing the sensor close to the bottom mirror. In this mode, the sensor or its supports may or may not touch over a small area.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to thermal detectors and the application of such to devices and methods of detecting the infrared images using thermal detectors. For example, by using optical measuring systems in combination with at least one light source to measure changes position of a movable anchored surface coupled to an absorption surface such that the movable anchored surface changes position due to absorption of infrared radiation by the absorption surface. In another example, by combining a detector pixel (infrared radiation sensitive) with an optical measuring device such as an interferometer.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to thermal detectors and the application of such to devices and methods of detecting the infrared images using thermal detectors. For example, by using optical measuring systems in combination with at least one light source to measure changes position of a movable anchored surface coupled to an absorption surface such that the movable anchored surface changes position due to absorption of infrared radiation by the absorption surface. In another example, by combining a detector pixel (infrared radiation sensitive) with an optical measuring device such as an interferometer.
Abstract:
There is disclosed a method for imaging a quantity of gas present in the atmosphere of a selected area comprising the steps of: directing background infra-red radiation from the selected area into an interferometer; imaging the infra-red radiation emerging from the interferometer onto at least one infra-red detector; obtaining a plurality of Fourier transform infra-red spectra in the 8-14 νm spectral region, each spectrum corresponding to infra-red radiation collected from a different portion of the selected area; and displaying in a suitable form an infra-red image, said infra-red image comprising the plurality of infra-red spectra, or quantities derived therefrom; in which the temperature of the quantity of gas or ambient temperature is measured, the temperature of the background is measured, and the difference between the two measured temperatures is used to derive gas column densities from said infra-red spectra.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns an unique laser radiometer capable of accurately measuring the radiation temperature of a radiant surface and independently measuring the surface's emissivity. A narrow-band radiometer is combined with a laser reflectometer to measure concurrently radiance and emissivity of a remote, hot surface. Together, radiance and emissivity yield the true surface temperature of the remote target. A narrow receiver bandwidth is attained by one of two methods; (a) heterodyne detection or (b) optical filtering. A direct measurement of emissivity is used to adjust the value obtained for the thermal radiation signal to substantially enhance the accuracy of the temperature measurement for a given subject surface. The technique provides substantially high detection sensitivity over a very narrow spectral bandwidth.
Abstract:
The present invention concerns an unique laser radiometer capable of accurately measuring the radiation temperature of a radiant surface and independently measuring the surface's emissivity. A narrow-band radiometer is combined with a laser reflectometer to measure concurrently radiance and emissivity of a remote, hot surface. Together, radiance and emissivity yield the true surface temperature of the remote target. A narrow receiver bandwidth is attained by one of two methods; (a) heterodyne detection or (b) optical filtering. A direct measurement of emissivity is used to adjust the value obtained for the thermal radiation signal to substantially enhance the accuracy of the temperature measurement for a given subject surface. The technique provides substantially high detection sensitivity over a very narrow spectral bandwidth.