Infrared Optical Systems

Phenis, Adam M., AMP Optics, LLC; Mudge, Jason, Golden Gate Light Optimization LLC

doi:10.1117/3.2599940.ch6

Book: Review of Optical Manufacturing 2000 to 2020

Editor(s): Aizhong Zhang; Richard N. Youngworth

Author(s): Adam Phenis, Jason Mudge

Published: 2021

https://doi.org/10.1117/3.2599940.ch6

Author Affiliations +

Abstract

From 2000 to 2020, infrared (IR) optical systems have experienced a strong transition from primarily a military technology and application to an increase in commercial and consumer products. This transition has enabled or driven many component advances primarily related to detectors and sources. This chapter discusses two basic aspects of this transition: (1) new applications and (2) component developments. The two categories are, effectively, intertwined; the former often drives the latter or said another way “necessity is the mother of invention.” Component developments include advancement in detectors, materials, fabrication techniques, and metrology, to name just a few. A major trend in infrared systems is significant miniaturization of previously bulky systems reducing size, weight, power consumption, and cost (SWaP-C) over the past two decades. It is this factor which paved the way into a large variety of new industrial and commercial applications.