Low thermal expansion materials for high precision measurement equipment

Testing surveillance thermal imagers under simulated real work conditions

“…This aim can be achieved by two main solutions: 1) designing an image projector (collimator, rotary wheel, targets, blackbody) using materials of a very low thermal expansion coefficient: mirrors made from Zerodur glass (or equivalent) and mirror mounts, also collimator case made from Invar alloy or 2) using special military class hardened electronics capable of working at extreme temperatures. The first solution has been known and used successfully for decades, especially for space technology [35,36]. The second solution is commonly used to design electronics for military applications.…”