A UV IR Laser Camera and Altimeter

Reference#: P02037

The novel aspect of the JHU/APL UV Infra Red camera and altimeter is that the detection system is an integrated photon-counting, 2-D imaging, Time-of-Flight system. This technology is superior to conventional imaging lidars (LIght Detection And Ranging) that are not photon-counting as well as conventional photon-counting imagers that do not measure time-of-flight; the notion is that the new type of instrument can eventually replace conventional imagers and literally bring a new dimension (ranging) to remote sensing. With single photon detection capability (even at room temperature), this technology provides a big advantage over S/N in the order of several thousands to millions over conventional photodiodes. Additionally, its reduced solar UV background in space provides a relatively easy capability of dayside imaging of surfaces and rare atmospheres. Furthermore, one-shot multi-pixel imaging capabilities greatly reduce the need for scanning and no active cooling is required with the use of microchannel plates (at a penalty if high voltage). Potential applications include: detection objects (tanks, ships), chemical composition (nerve gasses) from space, and detecting pollution in cities.

*This technology is available for licensing.