Design of an infrared camera utilizing a miniature cryocooler with an integrated dewar/cooler assembly

J. Brian Toft; John J. Forsthoefel; Robert C. Fischer; Jerry Shirley

doi:10.1117/12.137763

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12 August 1992 Design of an infrared camera utilizing a miniature cryocooler with an integrated dewar/cooler assembly

J. Brian Toft, John J. Forsthoefel, Robert C. Fischer, Jerry Shirley

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Proceedings Volume 1683, Infrared Focal Plane Array Producibility and Related Materials; (1992) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.137763
Event: Aerospace Sensing, 1992, Orlando, FL, United States

Abstract

Cincinnati Electronics has developed a high resolution, high sensitivity, commercial infrared camera, the IRC-160ST. This camera incorporates a 160 X 120 element Indium Antimonide (InSb) multiplexed focal plane array (FPA) integrated with a miniature closed cycle Stirling cooler. The resulting product is small enough for handheld applications and can be operated from an AC power source or battery. Highlights of this particular design include a high reliability integrated dewar/cooler assembly, compact electronic viewfinder, image correction electronics, display controls, and low power consumption. Size and power reductions resulted from incorporating an integrated dewar/cooler assembly (IDCA). Thermal performance issues relevant to the packaging of the IDCA are presented. Performance characteristics of the FPA/electronics such as uniformity, NEDT, and stability of corrections also are presented.

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J. Brian Toft, John J. Forsthoefel, Robert C. Fischer, and Jerry Shirley "Design of an infrared camera utilizing a miniature cryocooler with an integrated dewar/cooler assembly", Proc. SPIE 1683, Infrared Focal Plane Array Producibility and Related Materials, (12 August 1992); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.137763

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