Method and apparatus for coherent imaging of infrared energy
Abstract
A coherent camera system performs ranging, spectroscopy, and thermal imaging. Local oscillator radiation is combined with target scene radiation to enable heterodyne detection by the coherent camera`s two-dimensional photodetector array. Versatility enables deployment of the system in either a passive mode (where no laser energy is actively transmitted toward the target scene) or an active mode (where a transmitting laser is used to actively illuminate the target scene). The two-dimensional photodetector array eliminates the need to mechanically scan the detector. Each element of the photodetector array produces an intermediate frequency signal that is amplified, filtered, and rectified by the coherent camera`s integrated circuitry. By spectroscopic examination of the frequency components of each pixel of the detector array, a high-resolution, three-dimensional or holographic image of the target scene is produced for applications such as air pollution studies, atmospheric disturbance monitoring, and military weapons targeting. 8 figs.
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- Research Org.:
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 644410
- Patent Number(s):
- 5751830
- Application Number:
- PAN: 8-449,715
- Assignee:
- Lockheed Martin Energy Systems, Inc., Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC05-84OR21400
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: PBD: 12 May 1998
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 44 INSTRUMENTATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR AND PARTICLE DETECTORS; 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 45 MILITARY TECHNOLOGY, WEAPONRY, AND NATIONAL DEFENSE; INFRARED RADIATION; THERMAL RADIATION; CAMERAS; DESIGN; LASER RADIATION; RANGE FINDERS; THERMOGRAPHY; IMAGES; AIR POLLUTION MONITORS; MILITARY EQUIPMENT
Citation Formats
Hutchinson, D P. Method and apparatus for coherent imaging of infrared energy. United States: N. p., 1998.
Web.
Hutchinson, D P. Method and apparatus for coherent imaging of infrared energy. United States.
Hutchinson, D P. Tue .
"Method and apparatus for coherent imaging of infrared energy". United States.
@article{osti_644410,
title = {Method and apparatus for coherent imaging of infrared energy},
author = {Hutchinson, D P},
abstractNote = {A coherent camera system performs ranging, spectroscopy, and thermal imaging. Local oscillator radiation is combined with target scene radiation to enable heterodyne detection by the coherent camera`s two-dimensional photodetector array. Versatility enables deployment of the system in either a passive mode (where no laser energy is actively transmitted toward the target scene) or an active mode (where a transmitting laser is used to actively illuminate the target scene). The two-dimensional photodetector array eliminates the need to mechanically scan the detector. Each element of the photodetector array produces an intermediate frequency signal that is amplified, filtered, and rectified by the coherent camera`s integrated circuitry. By spectroscopic examination of the frequency components of each pixel of the detector array, a high-resolution, three-dimensional or holographic image of the target scene is produced for applications such as air pollution studies, atmospheric disturbance monitoring, and military weapons targeting. 8 figs.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue May 12 00:00:00 EDT 1998},
month = {Tue May 12 00:00:00 EDT 1998}
}