INFRARED VIEWING DEVICES WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTORS

 

[APPLICATION]   [PHOTOSENSITIVITY]   [ACCESSORIES]

   High performance image conversion infrared viewers are designed for viewing, recording and digitization radiation emitted by ultraviolet and infrared sources in the 270…2000 nm spectral region and are ideal for wide field applications involving laser beam alignment and inspection, optical fiber alignment, telecommunications, surveillance and investigation in botany, biophysics, medicine, forensics and art restoration, examine documents, records, engravings, paintings, infrared microscopy, infrared luminescence (by ultraviolet stimulation), fluorescence.

see Diagram TYPICAL SPECTRAL CURVES OF INFRARED VIEWING DEVICES

HOW INFRARED VIEWER WORKS

   The Electrooptic’s Infrared viewer works by focusing the infrared light reflected by or emitted from a chosen subject onto theimage tube. An electron image is generated in accordance with the incident intensity and the S- 1 spectral sensitivity of the photocathode material. The unit is powered by depressing and maintaining a pushbutton switch conveniently located on the device. When powered, and internal high voltage 3V battery - based power supply generates the 16-18 kV required to accelerate the electron image into the output phosphor screen. The fluorescent green light output (550 nm) is observed.



Laser alignment and safety
   IR viewers are ideal for applications involving the alignment of infrared laser beams and of optical components in near- infrared systems.

Forensics and Art restoration
   Substances have different transmission and reflection properties when viewed under near-infrared illumination as compared to visible illumination, these near infrared viewers can be used to examine documents, records, engraving, paintings, etc. for hidden differences. (IR filters and IR light sources are required for these applications).

Ultraviolet range
INTRODUCTION TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
   Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength between 10 and 400nm is called ultraviolet radiation. Radiation below 180nm is referred to as vacuum UV. The 180 to 400nm region may be semantically subdivided. Photobiologists use UV-C for wavelength to 290nm, UV-B for 290-320nm and UV-A for 320-400. In semiconductor photolithography radiation below 320nm is called «deep UV».
Ultraviolet applications: excimer/UV laser applications, UV spectral applications, UV lithography fingerprint detection and analysis, liquid crystal display annealing.

Semiconductor inspection
   With adapter to a microscope IR viewer can be used to view through the surface of silicon and gallium arsenide wafers.

Photo processing
   Infrared viewing devices have become invaluable tools for assuring error - free processing of color sensitive materials in the photographic.

Thermal imaging
   The IR viewers can be used to image the radiation of objects above 600 degrees Centigrade (such as kilns, furnaces and solder pots). Objects in this temperature range (and hotter) emit enough infrared radiation in the 0,8 – 1,7 micron wavelength range to be imaged by the viewers detector.

Other applications
   Surveillance and investigation in botany, biophysics, medicine (with using IR filters and IR light sources).
Infrared microscopy. Infrared luminescence (by ultraviolet stimulation), fluorescence.
Telecommunications. Infrared converter for the beam profilers.

The minimum detectable signal for a near-infrared viewer depends on:
· the power density;
· the wavelength of incident radiation (nm);
· the effective aperture of the objective lens;
· the distance between the spot and the viewer;
· the time duration of the signal (pulsed or continuous);
· the reflectivity of the diffusing surface;
· the sensitivity of the human eye or device used in viewing the output of the IR viewer.

Approximately minimum power densities required to view an infrared laser beam from a distance one meter:
· 20 μW/cm*cm for a 1,06 μm
· 500 μW/cm*cm for a 1,3 μm

   The IR viewer with sensitivity 350...2000 nm has the photocathode S-1+ type that contains the increased concentration of oxygen that increases ensitivity of the photocathode and shifts it sensitivity in infrared area. The IR viewer can be used to view 2.0 μm laser beam at minimum power density 2 W/cm*cm. When operated in the 1500...2000 nm range, the IR viewer has a low spectral response; therefore observations can be performed when the following requirements are met:
   Use an IR cut-off filter or interference filter and darken the room to reduce the external background.
   Use a metallic surface for viewing the laser infrared reflective radiation, as any paper for these purposes will absorb infrared radiation.

IR viewer in comparison with a CCD camera.
   Certain models of CCD cameras can be used to observe near-infrared radiation at wavelengths up to about 1,1 μm. However, because these cameras are designed for optimum performance in the visible wavelength range, as a result, they exhibit mediocre performance in the near-infrared range, image bleeding, blooming, low sensitivity and low contrast are some of the observed characteristics.

Visualization of infrared laser beam in «mid-air».
   It is a misconception that an IR viewer can be used to view infrared laser beams in «mid-air». However, as with the beam from a flashlight, if dust particles are in the beam path, the beam will become partly visible. Ordinarly, IR viewers can be used to see the projection of the infrared beam spot on a flat diffusing surface such as a white card or metallic surface.

Comparative parameters of infrared viewers the Abris-M and the SM-3R.
   The Abris-M viewer is based on a first generation high-grade image converter that has an electro-static focusing system, photocathode S-1 with increased concentration of oxygen and screen of type P-20 with maximum of luminescence 550 nm. The SM-3R has the similar design. But in comparison with the SM-3R viewer the Abris-M has the best resolution, infrared sensitivity and factor of intensification. The infrared sensitivity of the Abris-M 2000 is approximately bigger in two times in comparison with the SM-3R 2000. As the Abris-M has a high-grade image, it can be used with a CCD camera adapter for PC and video
registration of the image. The SM-3R is a miniature viewer that fits comfortably in the palm of the hand or on face mask for hands free operation. This viewer is more preferable when important are sizes and weight of the device.
   The IR viewer is visual device but not device for measuring. All similar visual devices is characterised by sensitivity in mA/W or mcA/lm. Plot of dependence of the power density from the wavelength can be built only for the single certain conditions of viewing.