Introduction to Infrared System Design

Excerpt

The notes that were the basis for this tutorial text have been compiled over a period of about thirty years. During that time mere have been many changes in the field of infrared technology. For the most part these changes have been incorporated in the basics, for basics are basic. I have had the privilege of investigating many different problems, either as an industrialist, in my former incarnation at the Honeywell Radiation Center (now Loral), as a teacher, and as a consultant. In the latter role I have worked for both the government as a critic and design reviewer as well as a creator.

Each of the design examples originated as a real problem. I have altered them to protect the innocent and to make the problems more interesting. This was done chiefly in the Peacekeeper and ICBM detector problems to make the choices among the options somewhat less obvious.

I have concentrated on the optics and detector aspects of infrared system design. Although the mechanical design of the structures is equally important, the techniques are those normally taught to the mechanical engineer and are not peculiar to infrared systems. A similar situation is true with respect to the electronics of the system.

I am indebted to those who first challenged me with these. I am also indebted to my past three employers—The University of Michigan, Honeywell, and The University of Arizona—for keeping me employed all those years. (Sometimes you can fool all of the people all of the time!)

I am also indebted to SPIE for the fine job they did in the publication. This is due mainly to Mary Kalbach Horan, the eloquent editor, Don O'Shea, the persistent and perspicacious Series editor, and George Zissis, the careful and consummate critic—and friend.

I wish to dedicate this book to my patient wife of over forty years, Mary Lou, who frequently asked, “And what are you doing in front of that computer today?”

My long-time friend Stan Ballard said, “It is nice to have written a book.” He was right.

William L. Wolfe

Tucson, Arizona

1996