A self-referenced ambient radiation thermometer determines a temperature of a blackbody object and includes a temperature stabilized detector; a detector lens; a Lyot stop; a collimating lens; a field stop; an optical chopper such that the central radiation received by the temperature stabilized detector is modulated at a modulation frequency of the optical chopper; an objective lens in optical communication with the blackbody object and the temperature stabilized detector, optically interposed between the blackbody object and the field stop and that: receives the central radiation from the blackbody object and communicates the central radiation to the field stop; and a temperature-stabilized isothermal enclosure that provides a stable temperature and isothermal environment to elements disposed in the temperature-stabilized isothermal enclosure, wherein the elements disposed in the temperature-stabilized isothermal enclosure comprise: the temperature stabilized detector, the detector lens, the collimating lens, the Lyot stop, and the field stop.

This infrared imaging device includes: an infrared transmission lens which collects infrared light emitted from an object; an infrared imaging element having a screen in which pixels for converting infrared light collected by the infrared transmission lens to electric signals are arranged in a two-dimensional array; a signal processing unit which converts electric signals from the infrared imaging element to digital signals; an optical characteristics correction unit which performs optical characteristics correction for an output of the signal processing unit on the basis of non-image-formation information set in advance for the infrared transmission lens; a reference temperature detection unit which detects a reference temperature; and a temperature measurement unit which performs absolute temperature conversion for the object on the basis of an output of the optical characteristics correction unit and an output of the reference temperature detection unit.

A windowless microbolometer for use in terrestrial applications and non-terrestrial applications is provided. The windowless microbolometer array may interact with a flow of gas such that a pixel-based image of the gas is generated when the flow of gas impinges upon the windowless microbolometer array. The windowless microbolometer array may also interact with a molecular beam to provide information related to density, shape, and propagation of the molecular beam.

A system for monitoring a petrochemical installation is disclosed. The system can include an optical imaging system comprising an array of optical detectors. The system can comprise processing electronics configured to process image data detected by the optical imaging system. The processing electronics can be configured to detect a target species based at least in part on the processed image data. The processing electronics can further be configured to, based on a detected amount of the target species, transmit an alarm notification to an external computing device over a communications network indicating that the target species has been detected at the petrochemical installation.

A system for monitoring a petrochemical installation is disclosed. The system can include an optical imaging system comprising an array of optical detectors. The system can comprise processing electronics configured to process image data detected by the optical imaging system. The processing electronics can be configured to detect a target species based at least in part on the processed image data. The processing electronics can further be configured to, based on a detected amount of the target species, transmit an alarm notification to an external computing device over a communications network indicating that the target species has been detected at the petrochemical installation.

An apparatus detects a transient thermal gradient in a substrate. The apparatus is comprised of an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit source electromagnetic radiation; a fast shutter configured to block the source electromagnetic radiation when closed, and open in response to a command to pulse the source electromagnetic radiation; a substrate support that supports a substrate disposed to emit a pulsed radiation from a back side of the substrate when the source electromagnetic radiation is pulsed through the substrate; and a detector configured to face the back side of the substrate. The detector is used to detect a transient thermal gradient in the pulsed radiation.

An apparatus detects a transient thermal gradient in a substrate. The apparatus is comprised of an electromagnetic radiation source configured to emit source electromagnetic radiation; a fast shutter configured to block the source electromagnetic radiation when closed, and open in response to a command to pulse the source electromagnetic radiation; a substrate support that supports a substrate disposed to emit a pulsed radiation from a back side of the substrate when the source electromagnetic radiation is pulsed through the substrate; and a detector configured to face the back side of the substrate. The detector is used to detect a transient thermal gradient in the pulsed radiation.

A system simultaneously tracks multiple objects. All or a subset of the objects includes a wireless receiver and a transmitter for providing an output. The system includes one or more wireless transmitters that send commands to the wireless receivers of the multiple objects instructing different subsets of the multiple objects to output (via their respective transmitter) at different times. The system also includes object sensors that receive output from the transmitters of the multiple objects and a computer system in communication with the object sensors. The computer system calculates locations of the multiple objects based on the sensed output from the multiple objects.

A system simultaneously tracks multiple objects. All or a subset of the objects includes a wireless receiver and a transmitter for providing an output. The system includes one or more wireless transmitters that send commands to the wireless receivers of the multiple objects instructing different subsets of the multiple objects to output (via their respective transmitter) at different times. The system also includes object sensors that receive output from the transmitters of the multiple objects and a computer system in communication with the object sensors. The computer system calculates locations of the multiple objects based on the sensed output from the multiple objects.

Techniques are provided to perform flat field correction for infrared cameras using a liquid shutter. Devices and methods provide a focal plane array (FPA) that receives infrared radiation (e.g., thermal infrared radiation) from a scene, and infrared-opaque liquid disposed in a cavity of a liquid shutter housing, and a fluid controller that directs the liquid from a reservoir area of the cavity to a field of view area of the cavity to block the FPA from the infrared radiation. Flat field correction terms may be determined and radiometric calibration may be performed. In one example, a liquid shutter uses voltages to direct liquid. In another example, a liquid shutter uses magnetic fields from electromagnets to direct liquid such as ferrofluid. In another example, a liquid shutter uses electrowetting techniques to direct liquid such as water. In a further example, a liquid shutter uses a pump.