Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Leslie L Thompson

Thomas R Schimert

Dayton D Eden

William E Case

Richard C McKee

Fred L Schaff

William W Segiet

An infrared detector, having improved infrared absorptance and operating performance at or near ambient as well as the cryogenic temperature ranges. The infrared detector, in one embodiment includes a multi-filament HgCdTe detector region mounted upon a CdTe substrate, a metallic reflective region placed in front of, or behind, the HgCdTe detection region forming a resonant layer between the reflective region and HgCdTe. Electrical contacts operable to detect the change in resistance of the HgCdTe detector filaments are connected to the detector region. Embodiment for a back surface illuminated detector device is described for use in the 8 micron to 12 micron, longwave infrared (LWIR) range. Improved operation in the LWIR range at higher temperatures results in detector arrays having decreased cooling needs and infrared detector systems produced with a significant decrease in overall system weight.

Back surface illuminated infrared detector

An imaging radiometer for scanning an area of interest from a platform moving in an orbital trajectory comprises at least one moving scanning mirror directed toward the area of interest. The mirror produces a changing scan area image representing a portion of the area of interest within the scan area of the mirror. A fixed optical viewer is mounted on the platform for viewing the scan area image and directing the image along its optical path. A detector in the optical path receives the changing scan area image over a selected time interval and periodically produces an electrical output, each output representing a different scan area image of the mirror over each time interval. In one embodiment the detector has a plurality of areas of different spectral response. Image motion compensation, electronically controlled light intensity gain and electronically controlled image size correction are incorporated in the apparatus.

Ultra wide field-of-regard multispectral imaging radiometer

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Bowie, MD, United States of America

Leslie L Thompson