Just want to correct myself on one thing: microbolometers typically do NOT need to be cooled and FPAs typically DO need to be cooled. See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_plane_array http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microbolometer Sean On Wed, Nov 4, 2009 at 1:02 AM, Sean Breheny wrote: > Unfortunately, not very likely at all. > > The IR light which normal CCD sensors can see is just below red on the > human vision spectrum. It is shorter than 1 micron in wavelength. It > is called near-IR because it is close to the visual spectrum. > > The IR light which FLIR cameras can see is in the 6 to 20 micron > wavelength range. It is VERY different from near-IR (6 to 20 times > lower frequency). It is naturally emitted by all objects above > absolute zero, to varying degrees depending on the surface > characteristics of the material. > > The non-contact thermometers and passive-IR motion sensors look at > this longwave IR, but those sensors are, of course, not imaging > sensors. On top of that, the passive-IR ones are, I think, only > sensitive to changes in IR illumination. > > Longwave IR cameras typically use microbolometer arrays (an array of > cooled temperature sensors which sense slight temperature changes from > IR light hitting them) or more recently, exotic semiconductor focal > plane arrays (materials like Mercury-Cadmium-Telluride (HgCdTe) or > Indium-Antimonide (InSb) or for the less sensitive ones, Lead Sulfide > (PbS)). This is the same technology used in military FLIR and > heat-seeking weapons. > > Note that even "night-vision goggles" sometimes do not work work using > longwave IR. Some do. Some simply intensify ambient visible light from > the moon or stars or skyglow of a city. The least expensive (like the > "IR night vision" mode on consumer cameras) is just a CCD without a > near-IR filter along with a bunch of near-IR LEDs to create bright > illumination which is not visible to the human eye. > > Sean > > > On Tue, Nov 3, 2009 at 1:51 PM, NOPE9 wrote: >> I saw this on another list >> >>> http://thekneeslider.com/archives/2009/10/16/motorcycle-night-vision/ >> >> How likely is is that one could duplicate this with a USB CMOS camera >> and an IR filter ? >> What is the state of IR illuminators ? >> What iR spectrum would be the best ? >> >> Gus >> >> -- >> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive >> View/change your membership options at >> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist >> > -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist