Compact narrow band imaging system
US8314612B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 11, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 20, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 22, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B26/02
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A compact narrow band imaging system includes a vapor cell having a gas that receives and transmits light in accordance with the Faraday effect. A magnetic source is provided for applying a magnetic field to the vapor cell. Crossed polarizers are disposed before and after the vapor cell creating a Faraday optical filter. The only light that passes through the filter is light within a narrow band near the absorption peaks of the vapor. Other optical elements of the imaging system including filters, image detectors, electron multipliers, signal digitizers, and heat filters are co-located within the imaging system's common thermal isolation container to provide improved performance. The compact system is suitable for wide area surveillance, including daylight surveillance for combustion sources such as forest fires and missile exhaust.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.