Research, Incorporated

The Pennsylvania Research Corporation

Amar S Bhalla

Leslie E Cross

Dragan Damjanovic

Zhi-Xiong Chen

Frank Ainger

Yao Xi

Chang-Shui Fang

An infrared imaging system is described which includes a pyro-optic sensor for receiving a thermal image on one of its sides, the sensor exhibiting a substantial change in refractive index in responses to changes in its temperature. A light beam is projected onto a second side of the sensor, the beam being selectively, locally reflected by the sensor in accordance with local changes in its refractive index. A receiver detects the reflected beam and responds to the reflectance changes to derive a visible image of the thermal image. The pyro-optic sensor comprises a sandwich structure which includes a film of energy absorbant material upon which the thermal image is received; a thin film of thermal-optic material; and a supporting layer which includes an optically transparent foam positioned next to the pyro-optic material on the side at which is directed an interrogating light beam.

Pyro-optic detector and imager

Pyroelectric crystals having relatively high figures of merit (p/K) of the order of 1.8 or more are provided. They are preferably prepared by doping alanine substituted triglycine sulfate crystals with phosphorous and/or arsenic.

Pyroelectric crystals with high figures of merit

Growing community of inventors

State College, PA, United States of America

Amar S Bhalla