Ambient-to-cold focus and alignment of cryogenic space sensors using uncooled auxillary detectors
US6833547B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 14, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 21, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 25, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01J2005/0077
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system and method for focusing infrared detectors operable at cryogenic temperatures. The invention includes a sensor (10) for detecting electromagnetic energy comprising a first detector (14) operable over a first temperature range and a predetermined number of auxiliary detectors (12) operable over a second temperature range, wherein the auxiliary detectors (12) are adjacent to and in the same optical plane as the first detector (14). In the illustrative embodiment, the energy is infrared or visible light, the first temperature range is a range of cryogenic temperatures, and the second temperature range is a range of ambient temperatures. The first detector (14) is a focal plane array and the auxiliary detectors (12) are uncooled detector arrays. In the preferred embodiment, the focal plane array (14) and the uncooled detectors (12) are disposed on a common substrate. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the novel sensor (10) can be used to focus an optical system at cryogenic temperatures. The inventive method includes illuminating energy onto the sensor (10) through the optical system at ambient temperatures and then adjusting the position of the sensor …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.