Characterization of a low-cost, commercially available, vanadium oxide microbolometer array for spectroscopic imaging

David Benirschke; Scott Howard

doi:10.1117/1.OE.56.4.040502

17 April 2017 Characterization of a low-cost, commercially available, vanadium oxide microbolometer array for spectroscopic imaging

David Benirschke, Scott Howard

Author Affiliations +

Funded by: U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science and Technology Directorate, Office of University Programs

Optical Engineering, Vol. 56, Issue 4, 040502 (April 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.4.040502

Abstract

Many long-wave infrared spectroscopic imaging applications are limited by the portability and cost of detector arrays. We present a characterization of a newly available, low-cost, uncooled vanadium oxide microbolometer array, the Seek Compact, in accordance with common infrared detector specifications: noise-equivalent differential temperature (NEDT), optical responsivity spectra, and Allan variance. The Compact’s imaging array consists of 156×206 pixels with a 12-μm pixel pitch, 93% of the pixels yield useful temperature readings. Characterization results show optical response between λ=7.4 and 12 μm with an NEDT of 148 mK (at ≈7 fps). Comparing these results to a research-grade camera, the Seek Compact exhibits a 4× and 48× reduction in weight (2.0/0.5 lbs) and cost ($12,000/$250) but takes 93× longer to achieve the same NEDT (1.55 s/16.6 ms for 45 mK). Additionally, a proof-of-concept spectral imaging experiment of SiN thin films is conducted. Leveraging this price reduction and spectroscopic imaging capability, the Seek Compact has potential in enabling field-deployable and distributed active midinfrared spectroscopic imaging, where cost and portability are the dominate inhibitors and high frame rates are not required.

Citation Download Citation

David Benirschke and Scott Howard "Characterization of a low-cost, commercially available, vanadium oxide microbolometer array for spectroscopic imaging," Optical Engineering 56(4), 040502 (17 April 2017). https://doi.org/10.1117/1.OE.56.4.040502

Received: 19 December 2016; Accepted: 27 March 2017; Published: 17 April 2017

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE