High Performance Uncooled Focal Plane Arrays

Science Research Laboratory (SRL) proposes to develop a novel uncooled thermal-to-visible transducer (TVT) that will revolutionize long-wavelength-infrared (LWIR) imaging. This new instrument is characterized by (1) lower power consumption and heating than existing IR bolometers; (2) immunity to image retention; (3) potential for a curved focal-plane array that can increase instrument sensitivity; (4) infrequent recalibration—a result of less heating; (5) the incorporation of standard CCD or CMOS arrays, making operation vastly simpler than that of conventional IR cameras; (6) an intrinsic capability of hardening to >1000 g on all three axes; (7) excellent sensitivity (NETD 5-40 mK); (8) a revolutionarily low cost of $20-$40 for the sensor module and $300 for the camera, many times less expensive than existing instruments; (8) potential for fusion of visible and thermal IR images, the two images being automatically registered and boresighted. In Phase I SRL will compare various materials that can be used as the IR-absorbing element of the transducer, resolve issues of materials compatibility between this element and requisite contiguous elements, and design a proof-of-principle experiment, to be conducted in Phase II, that will demonstrate the technology.