Staring infrared focal plane arrays for thermal imaging technology

Thermal imaging converts the infrared (IR) radiation of a scene into a live picture of that scene; the thermal image is a pictorial representation of temperature differences. One of the most promising new sensors for thermal imaging is the infrared focal plane array (IR EPA). The infrared focal plane array consists of a large number of minuscule IR detectors which can resolve targets as little as one tenth of a degree warmer than their surroundings, and offer enormous gains in data throughput per unit time without mechanical scanning. Imaging arrays are the most advanced infrared detectors and commonplace in products ranging from hand-held IR cameras for industry and security use, to sophisticated systems for military applications.