Thermal Infrared Sensors

The problems involved in designing optimal infrared (IR) measuring systems under given conditions are commensurately complex. The optical set-up and radiation conditions, the interaction between sensor and irradiation and the sensor itself, determine the operation of the sensor system. Simple calculations for solving these problems without any understanding of the causal relationships are not possible. Thermal Infrared Sensors offers a concise explanation of the basic physical and photometric fundamentals needed for the consideration of these interactions. It depicts the basics of thermal IR sensor systems and explains the manifold causal relationships between the most important effects and influences, describing the relationships between sensor parameters such as thermal and special resolution, and application conditions. This book covers: various types of thermal sensors, like thermoelectric sensor, pyroelectric sensors, microbolometers, micro-Golay cells and bimorphous sensors; basic applications for thermal sensors; noise - a limiting factor for thermal resolution and detectivity - including an outline of the mathematics and noise sources in thermal infrared sensors; the properties of IR sensor systems in conjunction with the measurement environment and application conditions; 60 examples showing calculations of real problems with real numbers, as they occur in many practical applications. This is an essential reference for practicing design and optical engineers and users of infrared sensors and infrared cameras. With this book they will be able to transform the demonstrated solutions to their own problems, find ways to match their commercial IR sensors and cameras to their measurement conditions, and to tailor and optimise sensors and set-ups to particular IR measurement problems. The basic knowledge outlined in this book will give advanced undergraduate and graduate students a thorough grounding in this technology.

This book provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art in the field of thermal infrared remote sensing. Temperature is one of the most important physical environmental variables monitored by earth observing remote sensing systems. Temperature ranges define the boundaries of habitats on our planet. Thermal hazards endanger our resources and well-being. In this book renowned international experts have contributed chapters on currently available thermal sensors as well as innovative plans for future missions. Further chapters discuss the underlying physics and image processing techniques for analyzing thermal data. Ground-breaking chapters on applications present a wide variety of case studies leading to a deepened understanding of land and sea surface temperature dynamics, urban heat island effects, forest fires, volcanic eruption precursors, underground coal fires, geothermal systems, soil moisture variability, and temperature-based mineral discrimination. ‘Thermal Infrared Remote Sensing: Sensors, Methods, Applications’ is unique because of the large field it spans, the potentials it reveals, and the detail it provides. This book is an indispensable volume for scientists, lecturers, and decision makers interested in thermal infrared technology, methods, and applications.

Completely revised and reorganized while retaining the approachable style of the first edition, Infrared Detectors, Second Edition addresses the latest developments in the science and technology of infrared (IR) detection. Antoni Rogalski, an internationally recognized pioneer in the field, covers the comprehensive range of subjects necessary to un

Introduction -- Comparison of Photon and Thermal Detectors Performance -- GaAs/AIGaAs Based Quantum Well Intra-red Photodetector Focal Plane Arrays -- GaInAs(P) Based Qwips on GaAs, InP and Si Substrates for Focal Plane Arrays -- InAs/(Galn)Sb Superlattices: A Promising Material System for Infra-red Detection -- GaSb/InAs Superlattices for Infra-red FPAs -- MCT Properties, Growth Methods and Characterization -- HgCdTe 2D Arrays -- Technology and Performance Limits -- Status of HgCdTe MBE Technology -- Silicon Infra-red Focal Plane Arrays -- PolySiGe Uncooled Microbolometers for Thermal Infra-red Detection -- Infra-red Silicon/Germanium Detectors -- Fundamentals of Spin Filtering in Ferromagnetic Metals with Application to Spin Sensors.

\- Preface - List of Figures - List of Tables - List of Acronyms and Abbreviations - Preface - Introduction - Basics of Noncontact Thermal Measurement - Matching the Instrument to the Application - Instruments Overview - Using IR Sensing and Imaging Instruments - Introduction to Applications - Plant Condition Monitoring and Predictive Maintenance - Buildings and Infrastructure - Materials Testing - Product and Process Monitoring Control - Night Vision, Security, and Surveillance - Life Sciences Thermography - Appendix A: Commercial Instrument Performance Characteristics - Appendix B: Manufacturers of IR Sensing and Imaging Instruments - Appendix C: Table of Generic Normal Emissivities of Materials - Appendix D: A Glossary of Terms for the Infrared Thermographer

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.

Many multispectral (MSS) systems sense radiation in the thermal infrared as well as the visible and reflected infrared portions of the spectrum. However, remote sensing of energy emitted from the Earth's surface in the thermal infrared (3μm to 15μm) is different than the sensing of reflected energy. Thermal sensors use photo detectors sensitive to the direct contact of photons on their surface, to detect emitted thermal radiation. Remote sensing has entered a new era in the twenty-first century with a series of operating satellites from the NASA Earth Observing System (EOS) program, other international programs, and commercial programs. Remote sensing has advanced significantly over the past half-century in the capacity to retrieve useful biochemical, physiological and structural quantities across a range of spatial and temporal scales. Detecting and monitoring heat loss from buildings in urban areas is an excellent application of thermal remote sensing. Quantitative Remote Sensing in Thermal Infrared provides a comprehensive and advanced overview of the basic theory of thermal remote sensing and its application in hydrology, agriculture, and forestry. It will be an especially valuable resource for students, researchers, experts, and decision-makers whose interest focuses on the retrieval and validation of surface temperature/emissivity, the estimation and validation of evapotranspiration at satellite pixel scale, and the application of thermal remote sensing.

Infrared Thermography (IRT) is commonly as a NDE tool to identify damages and provide remedial action. The fields of application are vast, such as, materials science, life sciences and applied engineering. This book offers a collection of ten chapters with three major sections - relating to application of infrared thermography to study problems in materials science, agriculture, veterinary and sports fields as well as in engineering applications. Both mathematical modeling and experimental aspects of IRT are evenly discussed in this book. It is our sincere hope that the book meets the requirements of researchers in the domain and inspires more researchers to study IRT.