LWIR Becomes More Accessible
We live in an age where new technologies are brought to market at lightning speed. One advancement leads to another, and then another. New products based on emerging technologies are constantly being introduced. One such technological advance is long-wave infrared - LWIR - imaging, also known as thermal imaging.
The long wave infrared camera doesn't quite let you "see through" walls, but it's about as far as X-ray vision. More recently, advances in detector manufacturing and reductions in cost have made long-wave infrared imaging more accessible to the industrial market.
The infrared imaging technology was introduced in the first half of the 20th century. Three generations of thermal imaging cameras have been identified since their inception. The first generation of cameras featured a single-element detector that combined two scanning mirrors to create an infrared image. Their main disadvantage is that they suffer from saturation issues. The second generation of cameras features an increased number of detectors, either in a large linear array or two small 2D arrays.
The third-generation cameras in use today have improved the reliability and sensitivity of infrared systems. The main innovative features of modern cameras are the increased number of pixels, higher thermal sensitivity, and increased acquisition frequency.
Scattered and reflected visible light is invisible to LWIR detectors; they mostly respond to infrared heat emitted by the object itself. One way to experience this deep infrared light is to use the outdoor heaters on many patios or the red heat lamps in restaurants that keep food trays warm. They heat the skin (or food) by emitting large amounts of infrared radiation.
LWIR sensors can indicate where and how much thermal radiation is emitted. This provides two distinct advantages: the scene becomes independent of the lighting conditions, and the sensor can easily identify any type of heat-generating body. This last advantage has long made LWIR sensing a key enabling technology for modern warfare.
Radiometric applications of LWIR imaging are a huge asset for industries such as food and material conversion, as it provides the ability to measure the temperature of any shape object at any location from a distance without physical contact. This allows for a greater range of process control, as well as reduced yield losses. For example, a chicken nugget factory might want to verify the temperature of all of its products as they come out of the oven. With a properly calibrated camera, all that is required for an accurate measurement is the input of information about the target object's surface finish (emissivity) and environmental conditions (humidity and temperature).
Another application that has risen to the forefront of LWIR imaging is the automotive sector. BMW, one of the world's major automakers, has decided to install thermal imaging cameras for driver vision enhancement in its top-of-the-line 7 Series models. Improving passenger and driver safety is one of BMW's top priorities. Since many accidents occur when driving at night, BMW is always looking for solutions to reduce the number of such accidents.
At Ford Motor Company, their engineers are currently using thermal imaging to identify where the air is escaping from the vehicle. Using LWIR imaging, Ford can test many ways to control the air in the car. This aids the design and development of new vehicles to help reduce and prevent air leaks, reduce noise and develop more efficient heating and cooling systems.
Whether through direct observation of thermal distribution, indirect observation of thermal motion, or absolute temperature measurement, thermal imaging is bound to occupy a greater place in automation, inspection, medical and other fields in the near future.
Javol will work with you to design and manufacture precision lenses to meet the needs of the specific camera that integrates LWIR into your system. If you want to customize or buy a long-wave infrared camera, please contact us.
As a professional custom infrared imaging equipment manufacturer. JAVOL relies on multi-spectral high-sensitivity photoelectric sensor chips of advanced compound semiconductor materials, uses deep learning AI algorithm as the engine, integrates low-light night vision technology, infrared thermal imaging technology, short-wave infrared technology, Multi-spectral technology in one fusion technology, our company designs, develops and manufactures advanced imaging products and system solutions, which are widely used in machine vision, automatic driving, drone payload, high-end manufacturing, medical diagnosis and other fields.