Low-cost, low-power, disposable infrared markers

Martin Pralle; Mark McNeal; Edward Johnson; Irina Puscasu; Anton Greenwald; James Melnyk

doi:10.1117/12.603961

31 May 2005 Low-cost, low-power, disposable infrared markers

Martin Pralle, Mark McNeal, Edward Johnson, Irina Puscasu, Anton Greenwald, James Melnyk

Proceedings Volume 5783, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXI; (2005) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.603961
Event: Defense and Security, 2005, Orlando, Florida, United States

Abstract

Light-weight, low-power consumption, low-cost IR sources are required for combat ID (IFF, identify friend or foe), trail markers, pallet markers, etc. They must be visible with conventional viewers at 200 meters in the 3-5 micron or 8-12 micron bands and emit no visible or near infrared radiation. Ion Optics has tested a prototype MEMS IR source that can meet all of these requirements. It uses a hermetically sealed filament with a photonic crystal-enhanced (PCE^TM) coating that efficiently generates narrowband IR light. The photonic crystal surface structure limits emission to (tunable) predetermined bands (3-5 and 8-12 microns specifically). These devices generate 10mW of IR light in the 3-5 micron band with "wall-plug" efficiency of 10%, 2 orders of magnitude more efficient than conventional IR LED's. This high efficiency enables overnight battery operation. Using traditional 3-5 micron MWIR cameras, we measured visibility ranges of 200 meters. Current research and development on wafer-level packaging of the MEMS device promises to increase device yield, improve reliability, reduce package size and reduce total cost.

Citation Download Citation

Martin Pralle, Mark McNeal, Edward Johnson, Irina Puscasu, Anton Greenwald, and James Melnyk "Low-cost, low-power, disposable infrared markers", Proc. SPIE 5783, Infrared Technology and Applications XXXI, (31 May 2005); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.603961

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