Research/Patents/US 4959546
US 4959546Tier 3 — General Defense

THERMO-OPTICAL FAR INFRARED SYSTEM

Assignee

US Government

Filed as: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, THE, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

Filed

Jun 5, 1981

Granted

Sep 25, 1990

Location

ALEXANDRIA VA US

Abstract

An infrared detecting system with a unique detector. The detector consists of an infrared-radiation absorbing layer on one side of thin-film substrate. On the other side of the substrate is a light reflecting layer, with a transducing material on the reflecting layer having a temperature-dependent index of refraction. Infrared radiation falling on the absorbing layer causes a temperature rise in this layer, a consequent rise in temperature of the reflecting layer and the transducing material, and a resulting change in refractive index of the material and a corresponding change in reflectance of the transducing material-reflecting layer combination. A read laser beam directed onto the material is thus reflected in accordance with the infrared radiation on the detector. Alternately, the reflecting layer may be on the same side of the substrate as the absorbing layer. Also, an additional reflector may be used between the reflecting layer and the transducing material.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Imposed

Jul 13, 1984

Rescinded

May 30, 1990

Duration

5 years, 10 months

Inventor

  • 1VINCENT T. BLY

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Back to patent indexSource: USPTO 35 USC §181 secrecy order records