We report an approach to build a tunable spectral imaging system operating in the long-wave infrared (λ=8-12 μm). In addition to broadband images, the imaging systems allows for tunable selection of particular passbands. The tunable passband selection allows the imaging system to focus on the infrared signatures (including both thermal emission signature related to object’s temperature and characteristic absorption signature) of object of interest. This is achieved by incorporating a fast tunable spectral filter comprising dispersive magneto-optic (MO) materials in the imaging system. The MO materials in the spectral filter are sandwiched between polarizers, and dispersion in the Faraday Effect rotates the polarization of different wavelengths of light by different amounts, which results in a wavelength-dependent attenuation by the subsequent polarizer. Multiple stages with different thicknesses of the MO material can be stacked (Lyot configuration) to further narrow down the transmission peak. The central wavelength of the filter can be tuned either by tuning the magnetic field B along the direction of the optical axis, or by rotating the polarizers while applying a fixed magnetic field. In the long-wave infrared, n-doped InSb proves to be a prominent MO material. We present detailed measurements of Verdet constant, absorption coefficient and calculated figure of merit (FOM) for a range of carrier concentrations near 1017 cm-3 in the long-wave infrared. A prototype tunable bandpass filter is constructed and demonstrated.
Access to the requested content is limited to institutions that have purchased or subscribe to SPIE eBooks.
You are receiving this notice because your organization may not have SPIE eBooks access.*
*Shibboleth/Open Athens users─please
sign in
to access your institution's subscriptions.
To obtain this item, you may purchase the complete book in print or electronic format on
SPIE.org.
INSTITUTIONAL Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.
PERSONAL Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.