Infrared Imaging Systems Technology

This book is intended to serve as an introduction to the technology of thermal imaging, and as a compendium of the conventions which form the basis of current FUR practice. Those topics in thermal imaging which are covered adequately elsewhere are not treated here, so there is no discussion of detectors, cryogenic coolers, circuit design, or video displays. Useful infor mation which is not readily available because of obscure publication is referenced as originating from personal communications. Virtually everyone with whom I have worked in the thermal imaging business has contributed to the book through the effects of conversations and ideas. I gratefully proffer blanket appreciation to all those who have helped in that way to make this book possible. The contributions of five people, however, bear special mention: Bob Sendall, Luke Biberman, Pete Laakmann, George Hopper, and Norm Stetson. They, more than any others, have positively influenced my thinking.

This new up-to-date edition of the successful handbook and ready reference retains the proven concept of the first, covering basic and advanced methods and applications in infrared imaging from two leading expert authors in the field. All chapters have been completely revised and expanded and a new chapter has been added to reflect recent developments in the field and report on the progress made within the last decade. In addition there is now an even stronger focus on real-life examples, with 20% more case studies taken from science and industry. For ease of comprehension the text is backed by more than 590 images which include graphic visualizations and more than 300 infrared thermography figures. The latter include many new ones depicting, for example, spectacular views of phenomena in nature, sports, and daily life.

The evolution of technological advances in infrared sensor technology, image processing, "smart" algorithms, knowledge-based databases, and their overall system integration has resulted in new methods of research and use in medical infrared imaging. The development of infrared cameras with focal plane arrays no longer requiring cooling, added a new dimension to this modality. Medical Infrared Imaging: Principles and Practices covers new ideas, concepts, and technologies along with historical background and clinical applications. The book begins by exploring worldwide advances in the medical applications of thermal imaging systems. It covers technology and hardware including detectors, detector materials, un-cooled focal plane arrays, high performance systems, camera characterization, electronics for on-chip image processing, optics, and cost-reduction designs. It then discusses the physiological basis of the thermal signature and its interpretation in a medical setting. The book also covers novel and emerging techniques, the complexities and importance of protocols for effective and reproducible results, storage and retrieval of thermal images, and ethical obligations. Of interest to both the medical and biomedical engineering communities, the book explores many opportunities for developing and conducting multidisciplinary research in many areas of medical infrared imaging. These range from clinical quantification to intelligent image processing for enhancement of the interpretation of images, and for further development of user-friendly high-resolution thermal cameras. These would enable the wide use of infrared imaging as a viable, noninvasive, low-cost, first-line detection modality.

This volume describes the characterization of all infrared imaging systems, infrared search and track systems, IRST, machine vision systems, and line scanners.

This is the first book to describe an emerging but already growing technology of thermal imaging based on uncooled infrared imaging arrays and systems, which are the most exciting new developments in infrared technology today. This technology is of great importance to developers and users of thermal images for military and commercial applications. The chapters, prepared by world leaders in the technology, describe not only the mainstream efforts, but also exciting new approaches and fundamental limits applicable to all. Unified approach to technology development based on fundamental limits Individual chapters written by world leaders in each technology Novel potential approaches, allowing for the reduction of costs, described in detail Descriptive and analytical Provides details of the mainstream approaches--resistive bolometric, pyroelectric/field enhanced pyroelectric, thermoelectric Provides insight into a unified approach to development of all types of thermal imaging arrays Features state-of-the-art and selected new developments