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Understanding infrared thermography reading 3 part 1 of 2

Understanding infrared thermography reading 3 part 1 of 2

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● Focal Plane Array Radiometers<br />

Focal plane array radiometers are adaptations <strong>of</strong> military and aerospace<br />

forward looking <strong>infrared</strong> scanners. but are designed to measure the apparent<br />

temperature at the target surface and to produce quantitative thermograms.<br />

The capabilities <strong>of</strong> early <strong>infrared</strong> focal plane array imagers were slow in<br />

developing. The quality <strong>of</strong> measurement capabilities has improved since 1990.<br />

Infrared focal plane array cameras <strong>of</strong>fer minimum resolvable temperature<br />

differences comparable to imaging radiometers (0.1 to 0.2 °C; 0.18 to 0.36 °F)<br />

and instantaneous field <strong>of</strong> views considerably better than imaging<br />

radiometers (1 mRad or better with standard optics).<br />

Commercially available quantitative <strong>infrared</strong> focal plane array cameras use<br />

detector arrays made <strong>of</strong> platinum silicide or indium antimonide, either <strong>of</strong><br />

which requires cooling. Quantitative thermal imagers based on uncooled focal<br />

plane arrays (using bolometrie and ferroelectric detectors) have also been<br />

developed. With inherently faster response, no moving <strong>part</strong>s and superior<br />

spatial resolution <strong>infrared</strong> focal plane array cameras have been replacing<br />

<strong>infrared</strong> imaging radiometers for most applications.<br />

Charlie Chong/ Fion Zhang

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