Conception of a cheap infrared camera using a Fresnel lens

Tatiana Grulois; Guillaume Druart; Nicolas Guérineau; Arnaud Crastes; Hervé Sauer; Pierre Chavel

doi:10.1117/12.2060964

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25 September 2014 Conception of a cheap infrared camera using a Fresnel lens

Tatiana Grulois, Guillaume Druart, Nicolas Guérineau, Arnaud Crastes, Hervé Sauer, Pierre Chavel

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Proceedings Volume 9192, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XV; 91920D (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2060964
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Today huge efforts are made in the research and industrial areas to design compact and cheap uncooled infrared optical systems for low-cost imagery applications. Indeed, infrared cameras are currently too expensive to be widespread. If we manage to cut their cost, we expect to open new types of markets. In this paper, we will present the cheap broadband microimager we have designed. It operates in the long-wavelength infrared range and uses only one silicon lens at a minimal cost for the manufacturing process. Our concept is based on the use of a thin optics. Therefore inexpensive unconventional materials can be used because some absorption can be tolerated. Our imager uses a thin Fresnel lens. Up to now, Fresnel lenses have not been used for broadband imagery applications because of their disastrous chromatic properties. However, we show that working in a high diffraction order can significantly reduce chromatism. A prototype has been made and the performance of our camera will be discussed. Its characterization has been carried out in terms of modulation transfer function (MTF) and noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD). Finally, experimental images will be presented.

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Tatiana Grulois, Guillaume Druart, Nicolas Guérineau, Arnaud Crastes, Hervé Sauer, and Pierre Chavel "Conception of a cheap infrared camera using a Fresnel lens", Proc. SPIE 9192, Current Developments in Lens Design and Optical Engineering XV, 91920D (25 September 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2060964

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