Limits of Thermal Sensors (LOTS)
Abstract
The Limits of Thermal Sensors (LOTS) program aims to demonstrate long-wave infrared (LWIR) detector technologies with both high performance and low-size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C). The resulting technologies could enable improvements in imaging systems such as night-vision goggles, infrared-guided missiles, and missile threat warning systems. Currently, LWIR-enabled systems must choose between large and expensive cryogenically-cooled detectors, which offer high sensitivity and response times, and uncooled detectors called microbolometers, which offer significant SWaP-C reductions. LOTS seeks to develop microbolometers that can compete with larger detectors in terms of sensitivity required to detect signals over long ranges and response time to avoid image blur. These technologies should allow DoD to deploy smaller, lighter, and cheaper sensors on critical, high-value assets while maintaining or improving their ability to engage fast-moving or distant targets.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2018
- Source ID
- dc5788803d7d8659e1063e88736eaa7d
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- Root: ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY