Brassboard infrared imagers containing focal plane arrays of more than 80,000 uncooled detectors sensitive to radiation in the 8- to 14-micrometer wavelength region have been fabricated and tested. These imagers, which have demonstrated noise-equivalent temperature difference (NETD) values of 0.10 degree(s)C, do not require cryogenic cooling or mechanical scanning. Two different types of detector, one ferroelectric and the other bolometric, are used for the focal plane arrays. Measurements of NETD, minimum resolvable temperature (MRT) and modulation transfer function (MTF) are reported. Uncooled sensor technology is being incorporated into prototype security sensors and weapon sights that can also be used as handheld surveillance devices.

Date Published: 16 September 1992
PDF: 17 pages
Proc. SPIE 1689, Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing III, (16 September 1992); doi: 10.1117/12.137968

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 1689:
Infrared Imaging Systems: Design, Analysis, Modeling, and Testing III
Gerald C. Holst, Editor(s)