Terahertz camera
First Claim
1. A thermal imaging device, comprising:
- an image converter configured to receive incoming terahertz radiation on a forward face and to convert the incoming radiation to visible radiation, wherein the converter includes;
a rigid base component made of a sapphire crystal;
a thermochromic liquid crystal layer applied to a forward face of the rigid base;
a thermal absorption layer applied to the forward face of the liquid crystal;
a visible light source configured to illuminate the rearward face of the converter;
a detector adapted to detect visible light emitting from a rearward face of the converter, whereby the detector can capture a visible image formed on a rearward face of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A thermal imaging device is provided for converting an image in the terahertz radiation range to the visible range. In one embodiment, the device includes a converter having a thermochromic liquid crystal layer mounted on a sapphire base. In another embodiment, the device includes a thermal absorption layer including a metal selected from the group of iron, aluminum, tin, and copper. In a further embodiment, the device has an light source shaped as an annulus for illuminating a rearward surface of the converter, configured to permit visible light rays to pass through the annulus for capture by a digital detector. In a final embodiment, the device has a thermal adjustment device for adjusting the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer to an optimal temperature.
53 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A thermal imaging device, comprising:
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an image converter configured to receive incoming terahertz radiation on a forward face and to convert the incoming radiation to visible radiation, wherein the converter includes; a rigid base component made of a sapphire crystal; a thermochromic liquid crystal layer applied to a forward face of the rigid base; a thermal absorption layer applied to the forward face of the liquid crystal; a visible light source configured to illuminate the rearward face of the converter; a detector adapted to detect visible light emitting from a rearward face of the converter, whereby the detector can capture a visible image formed on a rearward face of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A thermal imaging device, comprising:
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an image converter configured to receive incoming terahertz radiation on a forward face and to convert the incoming radiation to visible radiation, wherein the converter includes; a rigid base component transparent to visible light a thermochromic liquid crystal layer applied to a forward face of the rigid base; a thermal absorption layer applied to the forward face of the liquid crystal, wherein the thermal absorption layer includes a metal, a visible light source configured to illuminate the rearward face of the converter; a detector adapted to detect visible light emitting from a rearward face of the converter, whereby the detector can capture a visible image formed on a rearward face of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A thermal imaging device, comprising:
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an image converter configured to receive incoming terahertz radiation on a forward face and to convert the incoming radiation to visible radiation, wherein the converter includes; a rigid base component transparent to visible light, a thermochromic liquid crystal layer applied to a forward face of the rigid base; a thermal absorption layer applied to the forward face of the liquid crystal; a visible light source configured to illuminate the rearward face of the converter, wherein the light source has the shape of an annulus with an opening; a detector adapted to detect visible light emitting from a rearward face of the converter, whereby the detector can capture a visible image formed on a rearward face of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for adjusting the temperature of a thermochromic liquid crystal layer used for converting a thermal image into a visible image, comprising:
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transmitting infrared radiation onto the thermochromic liquid crystal layer such that a visible image appears on the layer; capturing the visible image on a digital camera; feeding the image to a computer; by using the computer, translating the image into a two dimensional map of the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal; analyzing the image and determining whether the image is saturated; lowering the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer if the image is saturated; and
otherwisemaintaining the temperature of the thermochromic liquid crystal layer at a central temperature if the image is not saturated. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
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Specification