US Government As Represented by the Secretary of the Army

Lynn E Garn

Vincent T Bly

Raymond S Balcerak

Lester F Gillespie

A far-infrared image is directed onto a transducer having a planar array of absorbing discs on one side. The discs are supported by a thin membrane ich expands and bulges as the discs heat up. The discs thus change their spacing with respect to a partially reflective mirror. The nominal spacing between the discs and mirror is about 1/4 wavelength of the infrared radiation, such that absorption is enhanced. The mirror is supported on a transparent substrate through which visible or near-infrared light is shown, and carries a perforated mask atop an insulating layer and in registration with the discs. The mirror/discs thus establish a Fabry-Perot cavity for the visible or near-infrared light, whereby a visible or near-infrared image may be observed or detected as the various discs establish various spacings in accordance with incremental variations in the infrared image. An electrostatic field is established between the mirror and the shield by a voltage source. This field induces an electrostatic field in the discs to pre-bias the discs toward the mirror and thus to tune or adjust the sensitivity of the transducer.

Far infrared thermal imaging system

A solid state pyroelectric detector readout device comprised of a two dimensional pyroelectric detector array which is interfaced with an array of solid state readout charge coupled devices (CCDs). The interfaced portion is comprised of current regulating means for eliminating the scene background flux and for maximizing the dynamic range of said device.

Growing community of inventors

Woodbridge, VA, United States of America

Lynn E Garn