Mid-Infrared Fiber Bundle Imager

Current infrared cameras are commercially available for thermal imaging systems in the range of 2-14 micron. Some critical military applications require high spatial resolution infrared fiber bundle for imaging in areas inaccessible to the cameras because of size and/or harsh environments. IRFlex proposes an innovative solution to this problem that leverages recent advances in mid-infrared fiber technology. The proposed work will develop and demonstrate a high transmission, coherent fiber bundle for imaging in 1-12 micron. Innovative manufacturing process techniques will be developed to produce low-cost coherent infrared imaging fiber bundles that are 2- 4 meters in length, 1000-10,000 fibers in a 10 mm diameter bundle, minimum bend radius of 8 cm and attenuation less than 1 dB/m over the spectral range of 1 to 12 micron. BENEFIT: Upon successful completion of Phase II effort, IRFlex will be in a unique position to develop and commercialize novel fiber bundle imager for infrared viewing applications. The proposed coherent fiber bundle is targeted primarily at military applications for infrared viewing of harsh environment and/or in tight spaces where infrared camera cannot be used. The infrared fiber bundle imager has other potential uses in military aircraft for surveillance and/or reconnaissance. Security Agencies (FBI, DHS) and law enforcement officials could use the infrared fiber bundle imager as a thermal fiber endoscope for covert surveillance from a safe distance to support hostage rescue, building surveillance, clearance, and search operations. Also the fiber bundle imager can be made small enough to apply infrared spectroscopy to the study of human and other tissues. In-vivo biomedical imaging could differentiate spectra of cancerous tissues from those of corresponding non-cancerous tissues.