Compact Two-Band Thermographer for Remote Measurement of Skin Temperature

OPTRA proposes the development of a novel two-color imaging remote thermographer for skin temperature measurements at large standoffs. This system employs a unique optical layout that separates an infrared image into two spectral channels registeredlaterally on a single uncooled microbolometer focal plane array. The difference between corresponding pixels of the two images effectively quantifies the location of the center wavelength of the Planck profile associated with the temperature of thetarget. The sensor response is continuous and monotonic with temperature. We have carefully constructed the two infrared channels to minimize the effects of atmospheric water vapor in the measurement path and eliminate the effects of carbon dioxide. Thedifference technique also allows for the rejection of stray radiation common to both channels. This system offers spatial resolution of 10 cm at a standoff of 200 m with a projected ¿ 1¿C accuracy The anticipated benefits of the proposed system is thecapability to accurately measure skin temperature at large standoffs in the presence of high humidity and ultimately rain and fog.Applications of the proposed system include skin temperature measurement within the military as well as for emergency response and medical use. Other applications include machine monitoring, perimeter surveillance, and remote monitoring of industrialequipment and chemical processes.