Infrared imaging systems

Point-of-use infrared thermometers are commercially available and relatively inexpensive. The typical cost for this type of infrared instrument is less than 1,000. Infrared imaging systems will have a price range between 8,000 for a black and white scanner without storage capability to over 60,000 for a microprocessor-based, color imaging system. 

Methods of near-field, midfield and ensemble (global) imaging and real-time visualization have been developed for monitoring gas atomization of liquid metals.[327] The primary process sensors and monitors used include high-speed video and infrared imaging systems. The process monitors allowed continuous and detailed observations of the atomization process and enabled measurements of the key parameters necessary for adequate control and optimization of the process. The sensors provided the operators with real-time information on the temperature of nozzle tip, visual characteristics of atomization plume, and gas and metal flow rates. The images can be displayed in real time, offering the potential for more responsive process control. 

In Ferguson v. City of Charleston, the U.S. Supreme Court declares that forcing pregnant patients in a state hospital to take drug tests and turning the results over to law enforcement authorities violated the Fourth Amendment. The U.S. Supreme Court rules that use of infrared imaging systems to search for evidence of a marijuana-growing operation in a home violates the expectation of privacy provided for in the Fourth Amendment. 

Because of the rapidly increasing availability of cryocoolers, numerous new applications have become possible many of these involve infrared imaging systems, spectroscopy, and high-temperature superconductors in the medical and communication fields. Many of these applications have required additional control of cryocooler-generated vibration and EMI susceptibility. 

Significant technological advances made in infrared imaging systems over the past decade have made thermography a useful predictive maintenance tool. Nowadays, some infrared camcorder cameras weigh less than ten pounds. 

The real power of thermography is that it allows us to quickly locate and monitor problems, and present critical decision-making information in visual form making it easy for management to understand. Infrared imaging systems, as they are generally called, produce a picture. . . of the invisible thermal pattern of a component or process. These thermal patterns, when understood, can be used to monitor operating conditions of equipment or processes. [14]... 

The newly available Odyssey and Aerius infrared imaging systems make it possible to probe whole cells with two-color infrared fluorescently labeled antibodies (anti-phosphopeptide, for example) that are used to detect changes in intracellular kinase signaling (Chen et al., 2005). The advantage of using infrared-labeled probes lies in the increased sensitivity and dynamic range and consequent reduction in the use of reagents. 

Fig. 3. Near-range remote sensors of the German maritime surveillance aircraft and their spatial coverage. Also shown are the SLAR as a far-range sensor, the central operating console (COC) and the forward-looking infrared imaging system (FLIR) for ship identification...

Spatially extended thermal detectors are also used to form infrared imaging systems. These have been employed in electron beam tubes, such as the pyroelectric vidicon and in systems with optical readout, such as the... 

Evapograph. Considerable development is taking place in this area with the object of producing a cheap, high quality, infrared imaging system. 

A number of alternative passivation processes to anodic oxidation have been investigated for (Hg,Cd)Te. The primary motivations for this search have been the relatively high fixed charge associated with most anodic oxides, and low thermal stability. The fixed charge is especially a problem with p-type devices, since it produces surface inversion which requires additional device structures to compensate. The thermal stability has been pursued because of the likely association of thermal stability with thermodynamic stability, with the ultimate result being increased longevity and reliability of infrared imaging systems... 

Holst (1993), Testing and Evaluation of Infrared Imaging Systems by G. C. Holst, JCD Publishing Co., Maitland, 1993. 

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