초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for improving detection of radiation emitted from object that includes a radiation detection sensor with a substrate and an array of columns protruding from a top surface of the substrate. A radiation sensitive layer, such as TLC, and a thermal conversion material, such as an

A method and apparatus for improving detection of radiation emitted from object that includes a radiation detection sensor with a substrate and an array of columns protruding from a top surface of the substrate. A radiation sensitive layer, such as TLC, and a thermal conversion material, such as an absorber, are disposed upon a top surface of the columns within the array thereby producing an array of radiation detectors. The columns provide thermal isolation between the radiation detectors and the substrate, and spatial separation of columns within the array provide radiant and thermal isolation between the radiation detectors upon the tops of individual columns. Producing an image of the array of radiation detectors allows detection of the radiation emitted from an object.

대표청구항 ▼

We claim: 1. A radiation detection system, comprising: a focal plane array that includes a substrate and a plurality of columns protruding from the substrate, wherein radiation detectors are disposed on tops of the plurality of columns, thereby creating an array of radiation detectors; collection o

We claim: 1. A radiation detection system, comprising: a focal plane array that includes a substrate and a plurality of columns protruding from the substrate, wherein radiation detectors are disposed on tops of the plurality of columns, thereby creating an array of radiation detectors; collection optics that focus radiation emitted from an object onto the focal plane array; and imaging optics that focus an image of the focal plane array radiation detectors onto an image sensor; wherein the focal plane array radiation detectors passively produce a color visual thermal map corresponding to the focused image. 2. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an image processor configured to accept an output from the image sensor. 3. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 2, wherein the image processor analyzes the output of the image sensor and generates an enhanced image and a command for a controllable radiation source. 4. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 3, wherein the command for the controllable radiation source causes the controllable radiation source to output radiation that is directed to the focal plane array and maintains the detectors at a predetermined value. 5. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the image sensor is a camera. 6. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 5, wherein the camera is a video camera. 7. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 5, wherein the camera is a film camera. 8. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further comprising a filter between an illumination source and the focal plane array. 9. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 8, wherein the filter is tunable. 10. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 8, wherein the filter is glass. 11. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the focal plane array is viewed directly. 12. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an illumination source that illuminates the focal plane array. 13. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 12, wherein the illumination source is tunable to a desired spectrum. 14. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 12, wherein the illumination source comprises a plurality of controllable sources. 15. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 14, wherein the plurality of controllable sources are tunable to a desired spectrum. 16. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the collection optics further comprises a tunable filter. 17. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, wherein the detectors include a thermochromic liquid crystal material. 18. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further comprising an environmental control unit. 19. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 18, wherein the environmental control unit operates to maintain the substrate of the focal plane array at a desired temperature. 20. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further comprising thermal shunts. 21. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 20, wherein the thermal shunts are located between the substrate and the mapping elements. 22. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 20, wherein the thermal shunts are located between the object that is radiating and the array of radiation detectors. 23. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 20, wherein the thermal shunt is constructed with a thermoelectric cooler. 24. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 20, wherein the thermal shunt is constructed with carbon nanotubes. 25. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 12, further including an image processor configured to accept and analyze an output from the image sensor and generate an enhanced image and a command for a controllable radiation source, wherein the command for the controllable radiation source causes the controllable radiation source to output radiation that is directed to the focal plane array and maintains the sensor elements at a predetermined value. 26. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 12, further comprising a beam splitter configured to pass radiation emitted from the object to the collection optics and to reflect the output radiation from the controllable radiation source to the collection optics. 27. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 12, further comprising a scanning mechanism to deflect the output radiation from the controllable radiation source across the focal plane array. 28. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 27, wherein the scanning mechanism is included within the controllable radiation source. 29. A method of detecting radiation emitted from an object, the method comprising: focusing radiation emitted from an object onto a focal plane array, wherein the focal plane array includes a substrate and a plurality of columns protruding from the substrate, wherein detectors are disposed on tops of the plurality of columns so as to produce an array of detectors; and focusing an image of the array of detectors onto an imaging sensor and passively producing an image of the array of detectors as a color visual thermal map on the imaging sensor. 30. A radiation detection system comprising: means for focusing radiation emitted from an object onto a focal plane array, wherein the focal plane array includes a substrate and a plurality of columns protruding from the substrate, wherein detectors are disposed on tops of the plurality of columns so as to produce an array of detectors; and means for focusing an image of the array of detectors onto an imaging sensor and passively producing an image of the array of detectors as a color visual thermal map on the imaging sensor. 31. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 1, further including: a target illumination source that emits radiation that impinges onto the object, which is focused by the collection optics onto the focal plane array. 32. A radiation detection system as defined in claim 31, wherein the target illumination source is tunable.