Posted to News on 12th Jul 2007, 21:13
Infrared cameras benefit from specialist lenses
In creating a portable thermal imaging camera whose picture quality is intended to be better than any other model on the market, Flir Systems was able to factor in far more than just a 640 x 480 pixel detector and brand new software. The ThermaCAM P640 also features high-powered lenses, developed and manufactured in-house by Flir Systems. The company claims that no other infrared specialist has this facility.
The optics of an infrared camera are designed in a similar way to those of a normal camera. However, simple glass cannot be used, as it is not a good transmitter of infrared radiation. Instead, the lens is usually made of germanium, a material that has excellent properties in the infrared waveband. For manufacturing reflecting surfaces, mirrors, spherical and aspherical types of lenses, Flir Systems operates two diamond-turning machines on a three-shift system.
As a result, the high-powered lenses for the ThermaCAM P640 have been designed to take full advantage of this flagship camera's high-resolution focal plane array sensor. A full range of lenses is available, including 12, 25, 45degree and close-up 0.5x 50-micron microscope lenses. These have an integral ultrasonic motor focussing mechanism, a facility commonly used by professional photographers, which enables the operator to employ either electronic or manual focussing to achieve the desired result.
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