Tuesday, March 21, 2006
About Atoms and Thermal Imaging
Atoms
Atoms are constantly in motion. They continuously vibrate, move and rotate. Even the atoms that make up the chairs that we sit in are moving around. Solids are actually in motion! Atoms can be in different states of excitation. In other words, they can have different energies. If we apply a lot of energy to an atom, it can leave what is called the ground-state energy level and move to an excited level. The level of excitation depends on the amount of energy applied to the atom via heat, light or electricity.
An atom consists of a nucleus (containing the protons and neutrons) and an electron cloud. Think of the electrons in this cloud as circling the nucleus in many different orbits. Although more modern views of the atom do not depict discrete orbits for the electrons, it can be useful to think of these orbits as the different energy levels of the atom. In other words, if we apply some heat to an atom, we might expect that some of the electrons in the lower energy orbitals would transition to higher energy orbitals, moving farther from the nucleus.
Once an electron moves to a higher-energy orbit, it eventually wants to return to the ground state. When it does, it releases its energy as a photon -- a particle of light. You see atoms releasing energy as photons all the time. For example, when the heating element in a toaster turns bright red, the red color is caused by atoms excited by heat, releasing red photons. An excited electron has more energy than a relaxed electron, and just as the electron absorbed some amount of energy to reach this excited level, it can release this energy to return to the ground state. This emitted energy is in the form of photons (light energy). The photon emitted has a very specific wavelength (color) that depends on the state of the electron's energy when the photon is released.
Anything that is alive uses energy, and so do many inanimate items such as engines and rockets. Energy consumption generates heat. In turn, heat causes the atoms in an object to fire off photons in the thermal-infrared spectrum. The hotter the object, the shorter the wavelength of the infrared photon it releases. An object that is very hot will even begin to emit photons in the visible spectrum, glowing red and then moving up through orange, yellow, blue and eventually white. In night vision, thermal imaging takes advantage of this infrared emission.
Thermal Imaging
Here's how thermal imaging works:
1. A special lens focuses the infrared light emitted by all of the objects in view.
2. The focused light is scanned by a phased array of infrared-detector elements. The detector elements create a very detailed temperature pattern called a thermogram. It only takes about one-thirtieth of a second for the detector array to obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram. This information is obtained from several thousand points in the field of view of the detector array.
3. The thermogram created by the detector elements is translated into electric impulses.
4. The impulses are sent to a signal-processing unit, a circuit board with a dedicated chip that translates the information from the elements into data for the display.
5. The signal-processing unit sends the information to the display, where it appears as various colors depending on the intensity of the infrared emission. The combination of all the impulses from all of the elements creates the image.
Atoms are constantly in motion. They continuously vibrate, move and rotate. Even the atoms that make up the chairs that we sit in are moving around. Solids are actually in motion! Atoms can be in different states of excitation. In other words, they can have different energies. If we apply a lot of energy to an atom, it can leave what is called the ground-state energy level and move to an excited level. The level of excitation depends on the amount of energy applied to the atom via heat, light or electricity.
An atom consists of a nucleus (containing the protons and neutrons) and an electron cloud. Think of the electrons in this cloud as circling the nucleus in many different orbits. Although more modern views of the atom do not depict discrete orbits for the electrons, it can be useful to think of these orbits as the different energy levels of the atom. In other words, if we apply some heat to an atom, we might expect that some of the electrons in the lower energy orbitals would transition to higher energy orbitals, moving farther from the nucleus.
Once an electron moves to a higher-energy orbit, it eventually wants to return to the ground state. When it does, it releases its energy as a photon -- a particle of light. You see atoms releasing energy as photons all the time. For example, when the heating element in a toaster turns bright red, the red color is caused by atoms excited by heat, releasing red photons. An excited electron has more energy than a relaxed electron, and just as the electron absorbed some amount of energy to reach this excited level, it can release this energy to return to the ground state. This emitted energy is in the form of photons (light energy). The photon emitted has a very specific wavelength (color) that depends on the state of the electron's energy when the photon is released.
Anything that is alive uses energy, and so do many inanimate items such as engines and rockets. Energy consumption generates heat. In turn, heat causes the atoms in an object to fire off photons in the thermal-infrared spectrum. The hotter the object, the shorter the wavelength of the infrared photon it releases. An object that is very hot will even begin to emit photons in the visible spectrum, glowing red and then moving up through orange, yellow, blue and eventually white. In night vision, thermal imaging takes advantage of this infrared emission.
Thermal Imaging
Here's how thermal imaging works:
1. A special lens focuses the infrared light emitted by all of the objects in view.
2. The focused light is scanned by a phased array of infrared-detector elements. The detector elements create a very detailed temperature pattern called a thermogram. It only takes about one-thirtieth of a second for the detector array to obtain the temperature information to make the thermogram. This information is obtained from several thousand points in the field of view of the detector array.
3. The thermogram created by the detector elements is translated into electric impulses.
4. The impulses are sent to a signal-processing unit, a circuit board with a dedicated chip that translates the information from the elements into data for the display.
5. The signal-processing unit sends the information to the display, where it appears as various colors depending on the intensity of the infrared emission. The combination of all the impulses from all of the elements creates the image.
Thursday, March 02, 2006
ATN Smart Technology
In 1997 ATN introduced its revolutionary patented Smart Technology Night Vision Weapon sights. The success and demand for these scopes went far and beyond its expectations. Throughout 1997 ATN was constantly asked if Smart Technology was available in all of ATN scopes and binoculars, not just weapon sights. Today, ATN is proud to introduce the full line of Smart Technology Night Vision Devices.
What is "Smart Total Darkness Technology" you may ask? Smart Total Darkness Technology finally provides the user total control in the hi-tech industry of night vision. The "Smart Series" night vision scopes were designed with the latest computer technology currently available. A micro-computer is built into each of the scopes providing advanced features and comfort of use currently, unparalleled in the world of night vision scopes. Using "smart" sensors and electronics, ATN has incorporated features into its scopes allowing them to out last similar technology scopes (even its own earlier versions) by more than 5 times. This is accomplished by having the on board computer system identify the users intention of looking through the scope.
When the scope is brought to the users eye the scope will automatically turn on. When removed from the eye the scope will turn off. The user will never have to worry about turning his/her scope on or off. Unlike other night vision scopes that are sensitive to light and can be easily damaged by accidentally leaving the scope on, the "smart" series scopes automatically sense when they are no longer being used. Even when left turned on in their case they will shut off and enter their "sleep mode". All the controls are digital, providing precise operation and a greater reliability then standard switches. Even if your batteries are low, don't worry the "smart" series will let you know.
Computerized Proximity Sensor
Our Smart Series Weapon sights additionally have features such as, a simple 3 button control panel that allows the user to easily adjust such important features as light amplification, lit-reticle brightness, and infra-red magnitude. Color coded LEDs let you know the mode of operation you are using. The more advanced models feature a remote control. This allows the user to place the 3 button control anywhere on the weapon, for quick and easy access.
