Application of charge-coupled devices to infrared detection and imaging

Infrared: A Key Technology for Security Systems

“…Also in these new developments there is a priority to the developing of imaging systems, at least for the know-how originated in infrared technologies, while spectroscopic detection is mostly developed by microwave techniques. Recently the emerging terahertz technologies [11], thanks to their nonionizing radiation and their detection capability of hidden objects in clothing and in packaging containers and luggage, coupled to the spectroscopic detection of plastic explosives and other chemical and biological agents, are the most promising technologies for integrated, efficient systems for security screening and counterterrorism. Radiation at terahertz frequencies has unique properties that may be advantageous for security applications; in fact, it can penetrate many nonconducting materials, but unlike X-rays is nonionizing, and can allow radar-like imaging in three dimensions thanks to the extremely short pulses used in pulsed terahertz techniques as well as the simultaneous collection of spectroscopic information like infrared.…”

“…The invention of Charge Coupled Devices (CCDs) in 1969 [9] made it possible to start the developing of the "second generation" FPAs detector arrays coupled with on-focal-plane electronic analogue signal readouts which could multiplex the signal from a very large array of detectors. In the middle 1970s, while the 1st Common Module IR Arrays were produced, the first CCD IR bidimensional arrays [10,11] were appearing in USA and, the first Smart Sensors based on LTT RF sputtered thin films, using X-Y addressing readout, were developed in Italy [12]. In 1975 the first CCD TV camera was realized and this was allowing to forecast the "2nd generation FPAs" capable of a staring vision, although the necessity of very high spatial resolution and high reliability even in complex structures, with extremely high number of pixels (up to one million pixels), were pushing towards alternative solutions, with materials less difficult than CMT, in the manufacturing process (e.g., extrinsic silicon detectors).…”

New frontiers for infrared

“…The invention of charge coupled devices (CCDs) in 1969 [15] made it possible to start the developing of the "second generation" FPAs detector arrays coupled with on− −focal−plane electronic analogue signal readouts which could multiplex the signal from a very large array of detec− tors. In the middle 70's, while the 1st common module IR arrays were produced, the first CCD IR bi−dimensional ar− rays [16][17] were appearing in USA and, the first smart sensors based on LTT RF sputtered thin films using X-Y addressing read-out were developed in Italy [18,46]. In 1975 the first CCD TV camera was realized and this allo− wed to forecast the "2 nd generation FPAs" capable of a star− ing vision, although the necessity of very high spatial reso− lution and high reliability even in complex structures, with extremely high number of pixels (up to one million pixels), were pushing towards alternative solutions, with materials less difficult than CMT, in the manufacturing process (e.g., extrinsic silicon detectors).…”

Smart Sensors: Why and when the origin was and why and where the future will be

“…This technological-industrial effort was allowing high performance LWIR forward looking IR imaging (FLIR) systems, operating at 80K with a single stage cryogenic engine and making them much more compact, lighter, and significantly lower in power consumption. In parallel, even if little later, in the middle 70's, first efforts were done for transferring the CCD technology to IR the FPA (Focal Plane Array) technology especially in the 3 to 5 µm wavelength and later on in 8-12 µm, always with the main task of the highest number of Pixels for high resolution IR imaging [10][11][12].…”

“…In the middle of 70's US Scientists, first in the world, were developing IR FPA -CCD detectors arrays starting from the 3 to 5 µm bands and extending up to the 8 to 12 µm IR band at the end of 70's [11,12]. Most of their attention was anyway dedicated to the developing of high resolution IR Imagers, with the highest number of sensing pixels and the best sensitivity.…”