Patent · US Expired

Low light level and infrared viewing system

US4147932A · kind A · utility

48Cited by
2References
25Claims
0Family size

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Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 6, 1977
Grant dateApr 3, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 6, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2231/5016
  • WIPO fieldOptics
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A viewing system for improving an image, and particularly designed for use with infrared and low light level inputs. A viewing system having first and second electrodes mounted in spaced relation with a gap therebetween, an electric power source for producing an electric field in the gap attracting electrons toward one electrode and positive charge toward the other, a photoresponsive layer on the gap face of the first electrode with radiation directed onto the layer through the first electrode producing an electrostatic charge image at the gap, and a plurality of electrophoretic particles dispersed in a dielectric liquid in the gap, with the particles being selectively deposited at the second electrode as a function of the electrostatic charge image. In the preferred embodiment, the deposited particles are viewed with a dark field illumination system whereby light is scattered to the viewing position by the deposited particles. Cascaded systems and systems incorporating image intensifiers are also disclosed.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.