Abstract:
Improved techniques for infrared imaging and gas detection are provided. In one example, a system includes a sensor array configured to receive infrared radiation from a scene comprising a background portion and a gas. The sensor array includes a first set of infrared sensors configured with a first spectral response corresponding to a first wavelength range of the infrared radiation associated with the background portion. The sensor array also includes a second set of infrared sensors configured with a second spectral response corresponding to a second wavelength range of the infrared radiation associated with the gas. The system also includes a read out integrated circuit (ROIC) configured to provide pixel values for first and second images captured by the first and second sets of infrared sensors, respectively, in response to the received infrared radiation. Additional systems and methods are also provided.
Abstract:
A system analyzes radiation from a scene in a field of view that includes a gas cloud with absorption characteristics in a wavelength band, The system includes first and second devices. The first device includes a detector and produces pixel signals that include information associated with absorption of radiation in the gas cloud wavelength band. An image of the scene is fanned on the detector based on the pixel signals. A non-predetermined region of the scene within the field of view in which the gas cloud is present is identified based on the pixel signals. The second device includes a detector and a lens, and receives the identified region of the scene. The system determines a distance between the identified region of the scene and the system based on the lens focus relative to the identified region of the scene in an image formed on the detector by the lens.
Abstract:
Systems, methods, and devices relating to optical imaging systems for gathering data on atmospheric trace gas emissions from a satellite. An optical system used in the satellite has a Fabry-Perot interferometer coupled to a suitable telescope. The interferometer is a wide angle Fabry-Perot interferometer which creates a fringing pattern in concentric circles with each fringe being a different wavelength on the imaging system. A filter is used with the optical system and allows multiple adjacent modes in a selected spectral range to pass through the interferometer to the imaging system. Each pixel in the imaging system collects light at multiple wavelengths within the selected spectral range. The optical system gathers multiple images of the target area allowing light from the target area to be collected at multiple different wavelengths. Different absorption data for different atmospheric trace gases can be gathered in a single satellite pass over the target area.
Abstract:
A method of detecting a target gas includes the step of traversing a target area with a gas-filter correlation radiometer having a field of view oriented towards the target area. The gas-filter correlation radiometer receives reflected radiation in a passband from the target area and produces gas-filter correlation radiometer signals from the received reflected radiation. A surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area is determined. The presence of the target gas in the target area is then determined based upon the received reflected radiation and the surface reflectivity spectral profile of the target area.
Abstract:
A passive infrared camera system (22) adapted to provide a visual image of a chemical (140) emanating from a component having the chemical therein is disclosed. The passive infrared camera system (22) includes a lens (38), a refrigerated portion (42), and a refrigeration system (60). The refrigerated portion (42) has therein an infrared sensor device (44) and an optical bandpass filter (46). The infrared sensor device (44) is adapted to capture an infrared image from the lens (38). The optical bandpass filter (46) is located along an optical path between the lens (38) and the infrared sensor device (44). At least part of a pass band (80) for the optical bandpass filter (46) is within an absorption band (e.g., 71, 72) for the chemical. The refrigeration system (60) is adapted to cool the refrigerated portion (42) of the infrared camera system (22).
Abstract:
Systems and methods disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more embodiments, provide for indicating gas movement in a scene having a background and an occurrence of gas, and comprise obtaining a sequence of at least two thermal image frames of said scene recorded at different points of time, automatically identifying, in each image frame of said sequence of thermal image frames, a set of pixel coordinates representing gas above a predetermined concentration threshold present in the imaged scene at the point of time at which the image frame was recorded, and automatically determining the location of each of said sets of pixel coordinates in the imaged scene. The systems and methods further comprise at least one of automatically generating a visual presentation image of said scene in which the location of each of said sets of pixel coordinates in relation to the location of each of said other sets of pixel coordinates is visualized, and/or automatically determining a direction of gas movement based on the location of each of said sets of pixel coordinates in relation to the location of each of said other sets of pixel coordinates.
Abstract:
Various embodiments disclosed herein describe an infrared (IR) imaging system for detecting a gas. The imaging system can include an optical filter that selectively passes light having a wavelength in a range of 1585 nm to 1595 nm while attenuating light at wavelengths above 1600 nm and below 1580 nm. The system can include an optical detector array sensitive to light having a wavelength of 1590 that is positioned rear of the optical filter.
Abstract:
Radiation is received from a scene impinging on at least one focal plane. A first spectral band is sampled to obtain a first band mean signal level, and either a first band image frame is collected when the first band mean signal level is at or below a first threshold, or a first image frame is collected in a first sub-band when the first band mean signal level is above the first threshold. A second sub-band is sampled to obtain a second sub-band mean signal level and a second image frame is collected in the second sub-band when the second sub-band mean signal level is at or below a second threshold. An image to be displayed is generated by combining at least two collected frames.