Integrated infrared plane emitters with a thermally stable infrared image

摘要

According to the invention, an infrared image is composed from small isothermal plane emitters in a similar way to the construction of an image in the image-scanning method by grey gradations. Devices of this kind which emit infrared images are needed, for example, for the investigation of infrared homing heads. To prevent the possibility that the small plane emitters (2), which can be designed differently according to the particular requirements, will exert a thermal influence on one another, a rearwardly open honeycomb structure (3) consisting of heat-insulating plastic, having mirrored honeycomb inner surfaces (5), is used as a mounting for these (see Figure 1). Fitted into the front honeycomb apertures are the hexagonal radiation elements (2), the front sides of which emit in the infrared range in the manner of black or grey bodies. The power required for generating the infrared image is supplied by a laser, the beam (6) of which travels over the open rear side of the honeycomb structure. The intensity of this beam is modulated in such a way that the power supplied to the radiation element generates, on the emitting front sides of these, the temperature which is required by the particular infrared image. The laser beam reaches the rear side (4) of the radiation element through its rear honeycomb aperture either directly or after reflection on the mirrored honeycomb inner surfaces. So that the laser radiation can be absorbed as completely as possible, the rear side (4) of the radiation element is blackened. IMAGE