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INFRARED CAMERASResearch Experience for Teachers
Paul LongwellSummer 2004
What does Infrared mean?
Infrared is the name given to radiation that has a wavelength just beyond what our eyes can detect.
Types of Infrared
Very Near IR
Near IR
Medium IR
Far IR
Very Far IR
Image Courtesy of NASA
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
What is special about an Infrared Camera?
Our eyes use visible wavelengths to create images.
An infrared camera is sensitive to wavelengths that are longer.
Image courtesy of FLIR Inc.
Same Object – Different Images!
Infrared CameraHuman Eye
Image Courtesy of NASA/IPAC
Infrared Imaging Begins With Bolometers…
Think of bolometers as resistors that are temperature-sensitive.
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
When an object’s infrared radiation strikes a
bolometer…
The resistance of the bolometer changes, and this is detected by a
electronic circuit.
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC Enhanced Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Bolometer Technology Gets Moo-ving
In 1901, S.P. Langley demonstrated that his primitive
bolometer could detect a cow that was standing out in a field!
Bolometers are not big!
Each side of a bolometer is usually 0.005 centimeters wide.
A row of 1000 bolometers would cover a distance of only 5 cm!
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Before being used in cameras, bolometers must
first be tested…
Sometimes they fail!
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Each bolometer helps form one pixel of an image…
More Pixels = More Bolometers
A typical array of bolometers contains 240 rows and 320 columns
Measurements from each bolometer must be collected separately
Once assembled, the bolometer array can be
put in a camera.
The lens focuses the image on the bolometer
An infrared camera requires an infrared lens!
Germanium is used instead of glass:
Infrared radiation passes right through, but visible light does not.
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Need a small IR camera?
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
This is truly a cool camera!
This camera’s detector must be kept
cold with liquid nitrogen!
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Cooled Cameras
•Are more expensive
•Perform better
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Miniature Uncooled IR Camera
Standard Uncooled IR Camera
Standard Cooled IR Camera
Images Courtesy of PSU/EOC
MRTD TestMinimum Resolvable Temperature Difference
•An image like this is produced by placing a room-temperature faceplate (w/ slits) over a heated background.
•The background temperature is brought closer and closer to the faceplate temperature until the image cannot be clearly seen.
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Applications:
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Examine structures behind walls and floors.
Applications
Light Switch
Image Courtesy of PSU/EOC
Locate wires behind walls.
ApplicationsImage Courtesy of National Infrared
Analyze electrical systems.
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Applications
Evaluate home heat loss.
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Applications
Animal Science
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Applications
Detect recent activity
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Image Courtesy of National Infrared
Image Courtesy of Infrared1
Thanks!• Penn State University – Applied Research Laboratory (ARL)
• Electro-Optics Center, Kittanning PA
•Ken Freyfogle
•Wendy Gilpin
•Chuck Rapach
Image Courtesy of SE-IR Corp.
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